Sharkbait’s Cocktail of the Week: The Hangover

Happy New Year! Finally, we’re off of the roller coaster of suck that 2020 was. Not that the calendar turning to 2021 is going to immediately make everything better, but it does seem to have a little bit of optimism attached to it already doesn’t it? Do I have any resolutions for 2021? I’m not sure yet. I’d like to get back to normal (or whatever the hell the new normal turns out to be) before making any additional promises to myself for this upcoming year.

Anyway

Now that 2020 is behind us, I assume that many of you (like me) were celebrating it fucking off for good last night, and are feeling….a bit off hall we say? Or more accurately, like you’re waiting for the sweet release of death? Fear not drinkers, because I have the solution for you. This purported hangover cure (or picker-upper) comes to us via Charles Baker and his excellent work “The Gentleman’s Companion. This drink features two different kinds of whiskey and two types of hot sauces. To say this is the hair of the dog is putting it mildly. Given the level of heat and booze in it, I’m wondering if it can challenge the Bloody Mary as the universal hangover cure all drink

Old Pepper:

1 jigger (1.5oz.) Good rye

1 jigger (1.5oz.) Good bourbon

2/3 Lemon, juice

.5 tsp Worcestershire

3 drops Tabasco

.5 tsp Chili sauce

Frappe hard, and serve in any sort of fireproof glass.

I thought I would smell some chili or tabasco up front, but I surprisingly get neither. I get more of a whiskey and lemon drink. Which if I didn’t know any better, would assume that is what I was about to consume.

Well that sure has some pep to it. The overall flavor is fairly neutral. The whiskeys cancel each other out for the most part. You definitely know this is all booze, but neither the bourbon or rye lend their signature flavor profiles to the sip. The lemon juice gives it a nice overall sour note which ends up being the dominant flavor. The hot pepper comes in at the end, and definitely lingers. Regarding the chili sauce, your mileage may vary depending on what you use. I used some chili sauce I made from some TWBS ghost peppers so I shorted the overall amount from the recipe, and the heat will linger longer given their potency.

The tabasco and Worcestershire are lost, but I suspect neither was designed to play a leading role here, and their contributions are depth alone and they serve that role well.

Now, how did I come to need the services of this picker upper? Well, how about a surprise double shot column? Having a fairly substantial bottle of prosecco on hand (and a directive from Mrs. Sharkbait to empty all of our decanters before we move next week)  I wanted something a little different than a champagne cocktail or a French 75, so I found a prosecco cocktail that sounded tasty. It’s called the Elderflower, Gin & Prosecco Cocktail. (How original)

Elderflower, Gin & Prosecco Cocktail

2 ounces gin
1 ounce Elderflower Liqueur
3 ounces Prosecco
Lime Wedges
Sugar (for the rim of the glass)

Fill a shaker with ice and add the Gin and Elderflower Liqueur. Shake to combine. Place the sugar on a small plate. Run a lime wedge around the rim of a martini glass and press the rim of the martini glass in the sugar to coat. Strain the contents of the shaker into the glass and top with Prosecco. Squeeze a lime wedge in the drink and garnish with an additional lime wedge. Serve immediately.

The first impression I get is just how dry it to be, which isn’t all that surprising given the prosecco is a dry sparkling wine. The elderflower liqueur starts to add some sweetness about midway through before the gin takes over and dominates to the end. The prosecco does a decent job at muting the gin as long as long as it can, before it starts it’s aforementioned takeover.

I skipped the rim due to a lack of the superfine sugar, and I will say it is necessary. I’m not sure where it comes from, but I do get a few bitter notes in there. Possibly from the elderflower? Maybe the combo of gin and prosecco? Either way, a bit of sugar to start would do nicely to balance this out.

Though it isn’t going to stop me from having one (or four) of these tonight.

Happy new year once again, and let’s hope 2021 isn’t a dumpster fire like it’s predecessor most certainly was.

(Banner image found here)