Sharkbait’s Cocktail of the Week: Irish Hello

Happy Friday, and Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Hopefully you’ve all got something green on today! Or at the very least, nothing orange.

Religious issues aside, today is made for enjoying a few tasty beverages, especially since there is some sort of madness inducing tournament that is going on all month? I don’t know, I don’t follow the basket balling. While I’ve never been one for the green beer gimmick, if that is you jam, who am I to look down on your chosen way to celebrate today? For me, I’ve always leaned into the beer and spirits side of things, depending on the day (or night’s) activities. While you can’t go wrong with a standard Guinness (hello lunchtime beer), I wanted to present another option involving my stash of Jameson Irish Whiskey that is easy and can be made in a pinch: The Irish Old Fashioned.

Is an Irish Old Fashioned just an old fashioned with Irish whiskey instead of American? Why yes, yes it is. However given that Irish and American whiskies are two completely different bests, I’m interested in this twist on a classic. Plus it’s the best day to make one of these today so why not?

Irish Old Fashioned

2 oz. Jameson

4 dashes angostura bitters

1 orange slice

1 sugar cube

Add the sugar cube to a rocks glass and add the bitters on top, then the orange slice and muddle. Add 1 large ice cube and the whiskey. Stir and garnish with an orange peel and a luxardo cherry

The aroma is very mild and restrained for a whiskey cocktail, especially where there isn’t anything to really cover up the scents brought into play by the Jameson here. Going back in, I can pick up some of the orange from the garnish and the muddles slice, which is pleasant and doesn’t fight with the Irish Whiskey at all, which to be honest had me slightly concerned.

The sip is much milder than a normal old fashioned would be. Not surprising given that Irish whiskies tend to be milder than their American counterparts. The milder base spirit really allows for other flavors to shine through. I get a lot of sweet orange up front, before I get any whiskey flavor. Speaking of which, does intensify in flavor ever so slightly the longer the sip goes. It is most pronounced at the end, and it even has a little carryover on my palate, only for a second or so, but long enough to register that it’s there.

While this is a good drink, I personally don’t think I’ll be making this one too often. When I think of an old fashioned, I think of something that has a little more…whiskey forward flavors. It falls a bit flat for my liking, and is a bit too sweet for me for the same reason. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think this is undrinkable by any means, I just don’t think this one is for me. Actually, I think this is a fantastic drink for someone just starting out with old fashioneds or whiskey in general, who may want or need something a little bit softer on the palate.

Enjoy the weekend, and be safe out there.

(Banner image courtesy Matthew Tetrault Photography)