There is a doctrine that persists from the Old Times; hissed from the corners of the amaranth and amalgamate souls trapped forever in the ether... "You don't mess with a good Scotch." Welp. To hell with that! As I've begun to cultivate a new love of Scotch whiskey, I undoubtedly have fallen down the rabbit hole reserved for so many previous palette discoveries to satiate an aching question: What goes well with Scotch? Simple PairingsThough I was never one to throw a punch in a bucket and see what sticks, drowning out any semblance of flavor with an excess of Gin and Vodka (sighs in college), the urge to blend new loves with old ones still calls to me. What are those old loves, you may ask? Well, Disaronno (fine amaretto), Drambuie, Fireball, and Angostura Aromatic Bitters. And, after a little research, turns out those old loves already had their honeymoon pairings in two separate homes. You might recognize the classics: The Rusty Nail and The Godfather. THE RUSTY NAIL 1.5 oz Scotch whiskey 3/4 oz Drambuie Pour over ice and enjoy THE GODFATHER 1.5 oz Scotch whiskey 1/2 oz amaretto liqueur Pour over ice and enjoy ...Or be a heathen and some Coca-Cola and enjoy anyway! Upon learning this, I was bolstered by my past cultivation and skillset and set to work making my own "gentleman's drink". The Den MasterThis one's all mine.
Take a nice whiskey glass and put 3 ice cubes in it. Then, pour the following over the ice in this order. 1) 1/2 oz Drambuie 2) 1/2 oz Wild Moon Birch Liqueur 3) 1 oz Disaronno 4) 1/2 oz Fireball 5) 2 oz Dewer's Scotch 6) 4-6 dashes Angostura Bitters Swirl the glass and sip away. No soda needed. I like the bright bite of the Dewer's Scotch, mitigated by the syrupy sensations of the Drambuie mixed with the subtle Birch. Fireball, Disaronno, and Bitters are a match made in Elysium. So if you're down for a cloak, a dagger, and a gentleman's talk, come join me at the table. -Adamus
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While we were out tempting fate and stupid people that can't wear masks in NY, my in-laws bought for me some red wine that they professed was "sweet like Stella Rosa." Well, considering that most of Stella Rosa's award-winning libations are carbonated and based on more fruity striations, a "sweet red" would not suffice. Sure enough, though it wasn't bad, this "red" wasn't really up to snuff in either direction. And before you get on your snide horse about the merits of my Stella versus you Pinot, you can shove it. We took the wine home with us, and it sat in our fridge for awhile. Still hopped and hankering for something to do with it, I did the UNTHINKABLE. I poured some in soda and took a sip. KalimotxoTurns out blending wine and cola has been done before. Branching paths bled out from the origins of Sangria and gaining A LOT of popularity in the 1970s, messing around with soda and wine ain't nothin' new, no matter how weird it may sound. To make the original Spanish version of this drink, called the Kalimotxo, you'll need some red wine and Coca-Cola. Mix 1 part each and enjoy. Three Variations On A ThemeNot one to let the red cap lie, I continued down this rabbit hole and tried this three more ways.
BENJIN'S BINGE 1 part White Wine 1 part Sprite 1.5 oz Vodka RAYPH'S RIPOSTE 1 part Red Wine 1 part Ginger Ale 1.5 oz Gold Tequila IZZY'S IXTAPA 1 part Stella Rosa Black 1 part Dr. Pepper 1.5 oz Amaretto Yes. These three variations are indeed based on a trio of bounty hunters from the first campaign of Gray Owls. Yes, only one of them is still alive. ...That has nothing to do with the quality of these drinks. I promise. No. I will not share which one of these three lived. Because you shouldn't be worried. Seriously. Nothing to worry about. Stop asking. Enjoy your dumb wine. -Adamus So my apprentice GM is kicking butt and taking names in her world building and depth of play, so I have little to do at this point other than add to the mayhem by testing out my concoctions on the party. Yep. You guessed it. I drafted two more drinks. The HexbladeTHE RECIPE 3 oz Amaretto 2 oz Lady Bligh rum A splash of Absinthe Optional: Light on fire, count to 3, blow it out, count to 10, drink (carefully). THE EFFECT The star here, believe it or not, is the Absinthe. Just a splash and the smooth sweet of Lady Bligh pairs with the Amaretto. If you're one of the crazy people that likes danger, the smokey burnt liquor of the optional torch will certainly summon the Patron inside. HEROES FEASTTHE RECIPE
1.5 oz Tennessee Honey Whiskey 1.5 oz Irish Mist Honey Whiskey 1/2 oz Brandy 1 oz Drambuie 4 oz Root Beer Liqueur 2 oz Dry Mead THE EFFECT This monstrosity of a pour messed up our Paladin. The guy can hold coherent conversation while plastered, but good luck to him in remembering any of what he talked about. After his first sip, his thoughts were, in this order: "Oh, that's dangerous"; "Adamus makes them strong, in a good way"; "I wonder what's in this"; "I need cake...now." And, considering it's a "feast", I can safely say I'm pleased with every inch of that. Originally planned for Four Roses Bourbon and a Blackberry Brandy, I made the switch to Jack Honey when I started the final mix, just hours before serving it. The Root Beer liqueur, too, made a last-minute appearance. Both adjustments I think really added a depth to the layered flavors. The mead is a risk with the Root Beer, but the ratios end up mitigating well and the Root reigns. I suggest you enjoy this one over ice, over time. It is indeed a FEAST, and should be savored. And that does it for now. See you at the table and bring your Pacts with you. -Adamus I recently procured a curious cornucopia of conifer liqueurs. The brand is called Wild Moon, and they seem to specialize in slices of liqueur that you'd more likely find on the forest or garden floor. To test them out, I picked up their Birch and Lavender liqueurs, and if I'm impressed, I'll go back and snag their Cucumber liqueur (yeah, you heard me). All this nature talk got me thinking on flavors and fey, and today I wanted to share with you a drafting test. My target out of the gate is to find a happy pairing for the Birch liqueur, which has a woody hint of licorice in its palette, but beyond that the end result's concept is only half-formed, so I'm open to new possibilities. ...Means we have a few taste tests to run through. Test #1 - A Simple HoneyTest Recipe - since I'm just testing new flavors, I'll go small doses in equal parts. 1 oz Irish Mist Honey Whiskey 1 oz Wild Moon Birch liqueur 4 dashes Angostura Bitters TASTING NOTES + Sweet + Burn comes at the back of the sip + Licorice of the Birch gives way to the honey quick + Smooth, but dark First Notes: This does what I wanted it to do. It's smooth and tasty without an intense burn. And I like the warmth at the end. The Birch and the Irish Whiskey meld WELL. On its own, this is a fine shot, but I still feel like something's missing. Test #2 - Mead NeedTest Recipe Everything from #1 and: 1 oz Dry Mead TASTING NOTES + The licorice is OBLITERATED by the honey wine + Less sharp, but I'm not a fan + Flat + So much honey now... Second Notes: This works if my goal was to make a honey drink. Slap some seltzer on this floozy and enjoy your weakness. Not the direction I wanted; it needs to heighten the Birch, not CRUSH it. Test #3 - A Fruity AdditionTest Recipe Everything from #1 and: 1 oz Peachtree Schnapps TASTING NOTES + Welcome to PEACH country + I'm serious... Third Notes: any semblance of another identity just got smashed by the overpowering FRUIT that is Peachtree. I should have known better; that's not a subtle flavor - that is a power-hungry princess that will happily murder her delicate prized puppy if it gives her the throne. No thank you. Test #4 - A Hint Of FireTest Recipe - steering hard away from other fruity flavors, and unwilling to risk the Lavender, instead I aim to lean into a hint of cinnamon. The subtle bite and burn from Test #1 still lingers in my process, and I want to see if I can coax it out from dark edges of the forest.
1/2 oz Birch Liqueur 1/2 oz Irish Mist Honey 1/2 oz Fireball 3 Dashes Angostura Bitters TASTING NOTES + A solid shot + The Fireball heightens the tiny bite of the Birch + The honey whiskey pairs with the cinnamon + "Backburn" well intact + Lovely warmth Fourth Notes: Not overpowering, and that was the goal. The Birch should be the star here, and finally it is. The licorice hint pairs well with the bite of honey whiskey, and the cinnamon ties them both together. The bitters seal the deal. Feel free to order this one at the Moonriver anytime. Imbibe responsibly, and beware the deals of the Fey. -Adamus The MudslideTHE RECIPE 1.5 oz Vodka 1 oz Kahlua (coffee liqueur) 1 oz Irish Cream Pour this sucker over ice and enjoy. See also: pour this over ICE CREAM and go to town. :). You're welcome. B-52This layered shot is said to have originated in the 1970s and beyond that there are some conflicting ideas as to who created it officially. I'd go into it, but I don't really care. THE RECIPE (poured in the following over) 1) 1/2 oz Kahlua (coffee liqueur) 2) 1/2 oz Bailey's Irish Cream (Irish Cream liqueur) 3) 1/2 oz Grand Marnier (orange liqueur) As the standard shot is a total of 1/5 oz, you layer this and drink it down like soldier. Get rekt. If you've been paying attention, both of these recipes follow my latest personal theming discovery of Irish Cream liqueur, and finding a stronger delivery method than just pouring it over ice and adding a little almond milk and chocolate liqueur (which is still the bee's knees, so try it). The Mudslide is a drink with ice, enjoyed over time. The B-52 is a shot, pure and simple.
Enjoy responsibly. -Adamus Irish Cream is the bomb-diggity. Blame my sheltered alcoholic journey, but never have I ever encountered something so darn delicious in such a neat package. And to learn that it's excellent all on its own! And experience it first hand? While experimenting? Oh joyous evening! For those unaware, Irish Cream is a liqueur of cream, cocoa, and Irish Whiskey. It is often enjoyed on its own over ice, or employed to augment your ice cream, coffee, hot chocolate, and various other sweet tooth things. However, it spirals far beyond this use; put it in some cola and be amazed. A little amaretto added in? Amazing! The Mindflayer, via Rocks Fall, Everyone Dies (The Tavern)This time around we put the lens back on a great YouTube channel led by a great DM. Most of his recipes I enjoy (though they can get pretty sweet), but this one I was concerned about. It just didn't look...right. Let's take a look. "Eyeball" Recipe (meaning no exact measurements) 1 part Triple Sec 1 part Irish Cream Splash of Grenadine Splash of Black Sambuca Directions: you pour about half a shot of Triple Sec, then carefully float Irish Cream on top to fill the rest. Splash of Grenadine, and a drop or two of Black Sambuca. Drink it down shortly after - don't wait too long (I explain why below) It might remind you of the classic Brain Hemorrhage shot, which is usually Peach Schnapps and Irish Cream, with a few drops of Grenadine (again, I'll explain). I have a problem with this drink, and its fault lies in its chemistry. When the Grenadine hits the Irish Cream, there's a congealing reaction. Sure, it looks cool, but that brain-like blob is becoming a stringy solid. The longer you wait to drink it (and it ain't long), the more your gag reflex is going to register that something is wrong. Maybe I'm just odd, but I don't feel like chewing my shots. How I'd fix it? ...Just don't use the Grenadine. You lose the "bloody" visual, but the Grenadine doesn't seem necessary in the first place - it sinks to the bottom and gets stuck there - and its flavor doesn't match the rest of the suite. My first go was interesting enough, but my second without the pomegranate syrup was infinitely better. When you have something like the Brain Hemorrhage Shot, this "stringy" effect is intentional; it's not meant to feel right. And I think this variation on a theme has the same intention. ...I just don't like it. The Dennisen (Den Variation)In one of my Lore Drop posts, we wrote about an Illithid Corsair named Dennisen Thuul. A Mindflayer of sophistication and tactics, and, despite his nature to consume brain matter, an otherwise strict gentleman. Sure, Mindflayers are scary, but how interesting would it be to blend that terror with a measure of cool and calm? How do you make a drink unsettling but still...intoxicating?
Well, let's stick with Irish Cream for one. Though we've already explored my distaste for the entire brand of mixology that pursues curdling creamy liqueurs on purpose, there are plenty of lovely pairings for Irish Cream. Ice cream, coffee, cocoa...these are delicious and obvious. Coming from that vein, we'll find Frangelico (Hazelnut liqueur), Kahlua (coffee liqueur), and sometimes Grand Marnier (orange liqueur) as excellent pairings, though not always together. Vodka and Frangelico pops up here and there. And then I found the Tequila. I'm a fan of Gold Tequila, I'm finding, and though when this pops up in research, there are no other additions, so (when you're not following my brain path) try equal parts Irish Cream and Gold Tequila, then pour over ice. I'm thinking that will be the "weird" that I'm craving. The rest should work well in tandem. Does Frangelico go well with Tequila? Yes! That's the base for a "Nutty Tequila." Grand Marnier definitely pairs well (because that's how Margaritas work). Kahlua and Tequila? That's the "Brave Bull". BUT. If I learned anything from mixing 5 rums together only to produce the blandest rubbing alcohol I've ever experienced...things that go well in pairs could be catastrophic in trios and quads. So we'll build it slowly. 2 oz Irish Cream + 1 oz Frangelico = is beautiful. No question. And it matches; OF COURSE these flavor palettes go well together. 2 oz Irish Cream + 1 oz Frangelico + 1 oz Kahlua = something still quite lovely. So far, we're still par for the course though. We're using creamy, nutty flavors built for each other. Next, we start to turn things sideways. 2 oz Irish Cream + 1 oz Frangelico + 1 oz Kahlua + 1/2 oz Grand Marnier = ...this is where the differences begin to show. A slight tang, like an orange dipped in chocolate ice cream. Just a tad strange, with a pleasant middle, and a whiskey finish. Stop here if you want the First Mate Version. 2 oz Irish Cream + 1 oz each of Frangelico and Kahlua + 1/2 oz each of Grand Marnier and Gold Tequila. ...My gods. The drink has fundamentally CHANGED. Tequila in general is a powerful flavor, and I tested it with only the Irish Cream before trying this out, and the result was an assault of tequila. All mixed here, though, you NEED the Grand Marnier. All paired with the cocoa whiskey base, it smooths the weird sharpness of the tequila. I wanted unsettling, but good, and I think I got the right amount of weird. If it's too weird for you, just don't add the tequila. No foul, First Mate. Imbibe responsibly, and don't lose your brain. -Adamus There's a favorite red drink among bartenders that holds a less-flattering terminology that I probably can't repeat on this blog (about drinking, no less), so let's just refer to it as a Red-Headed...Lady, cuz what she does with her body is entirely HER choice. It is a sweet and fruity drink that is wholly deceptive. It's meant to knock you on your butt before you know what hit you...or why you just pounded down three of them over a tasty hour or so. Oops. The Red-Headed Lady - Classic VersionFor this you need Jaegermeister, Peach Schnapps, and some Cranberry Juice. Ratio goes 1-1-2. For the laymen: 1 oz. Jaegermeister 1 oz Peach Schnapps 2 oz Cranberry Juice Shake in a mixer with ice and pour into a few shots or a shooter glass. ...And yet, though that be the classic recipe, that ain't how a lot of people enjoy this drink. Sure, order this at a bar in shot form, and you'll get a nice fruity Jaegerbomb with Cranberry, but let me share with you a few other variations. Other Ways Of Enjoying Your LadyVARIATION 1 - Jaegerlite Maybe you're not a fan of the German licorice herbal liqueur and you'd like a bit less. In that case, we adjust the ratios a tad. 1/2 oz Jaegermeister 2 oz Peach Schnapps 3 oz Cranberry Juice **This one's more of a drink than a shot, unless you're up for a few in a row. VARIATION 2 - The Red Shirley Splash of Jaegermeister 2 oz Peach Schnapps 3 oz Cranberry Juice Fill with Sprite **I am convinced that THIS concoction is what the bartender kept giving my fiancé at her bachelorette party. And, as she normally HATES Jaegermeister, this drink's minimal use of a key ingredient makes perfect sense. VARIATION 3 - The Red Crown 1 oz Jaegermeister 1 oz Peach Schnapps 1 oz Crown Royal 1 oz Cranberry Vodka VARIATION 4 - Red-Headed Cowgirl 1 oz Southern Comfort 1 oz Rye Whiskey 2 oz Raspberry Liqueur Heck, there's even one that brings champagne to the mix. If you want to feel special, I guess you could add a splash of Coca-Cola to the original recipe and call yourself Lindsey Lohan. Moonriver Take - The IncubusSo.
It's deceptive and tasty. We have to both bind the flavors of the Jaeger with the Peach, then throw in a twist to both darken and smooth out the palette...without completely derivative. I choose dark, smooth, and a little spicy, just like one of my favorite monsters to run in a mature game. VARIATION 5 - The Incubus 1 oz Jaegermeister 1 oz Peach Schnapps 2 oz Raspberry Liqueur 1 oz Aftershock (cinnamon liqueur) 1 oz Amaretto Fill with Sprite Sweet, seductive, with a little spice. You're welcome. -Adamus The Dark and Stormy is often considered a variation on a Mule. A little alcohol and some ginger beer. However, for my first casual Drinking and Dragons, I was inspired by an excellent barkeep online who shared The Classic Dark and StormyThe Dark and Stormy is a classic for a reason. It's easy and it's yummy. Don't try so hard. Take your desired glass. Pour in 2 oz of dark rum Then fill the rest with Ginger Beer If you're feeling sassy, splash in a little lime juice and ice. The Storm Giant - by Palm Of Vecna, via Rocks Fall, Everyone DiesI wish I could take credit for this one. There's an excellent channel on the YouTubes called Rocks Fall, Everyone Dies. The creator ran a separate show for a brief time called "The Tavern" where he shares, mixes, and tastes drinks he's drafting. It's good content and you should check it out (click the name in the section title above). One of his cast members created this beauty. STORM GIANT RECIPE 3 oz Kraken or Oakheart rum 1.5 oz Moonshine 1 can of Ginger Beer Pour this simple mix into a large mug with ice and enjoy! The Thunderstep (Den Draft)The first time I mixed The Storm Giant, it absolutely required ice and a straw due to sheer volume. It was also bloody tasty, so I wanted to try my hand at something similar. I wanted it to be yummy and STRONG, without knowing it. So you enjoy it, then feel the thunder. Just like a certain spell I know. Warning: this is a One Drink Wonder. Make one and done.
THUNDERSTEP RECIPE 4 oz Captain Morgan (spiced rum) 4 oz Root Beer liqueur 3 oz Moonshine 1 can of Dr. Pepper Pour all into a large goblet or stein, add ice, sit back, and enjoy. It makes a lot. It IS for a GIANT, after all. -Adamus The following is a sweet shooter. Another draft of my own head, I wanted to make something that goes down quick and easy - like the liquid courage one downs before a tough job. We'll need two fruity liqueurs, some vodka, and a smidge of cola. The Sidearm Recipe1/2 oz Raspberry Liqueur 1/2 oz Vanilla Vodka 1/2 oz Peachtree Schnapps 1 oz Coca-Cola ...Makes about 2 shots or one shooter. Mix it up, pour it out, and suck it down. If too fruity, swap out the Vanilla Vodka for a measure of standard or Black Vodka. Good job, kid, now go punch that Orc in the face! You'll be fine. Easy going this week.
Shoot straight and responsibly. -Adamus One of the first games I ever ran professionally had a stalwart knight with a belabored backstory full of twists, turns, and dead siblings. His name was Denimus Umbra, oldest brother to the main not-villain of the first arc, Warrick Umbra (whom he thought was dead; actually nearly assassinated by the head of the church of Tiamat, along with his two younger brothers...who Warrick saved by summoning hounds to hold their spirits to the material plane) ...He wasn't in the right campaign. Let's drink to his memory! The Classic DaiquiriEven before all your frozen daiquiri variations found their marks, the Daiquiri was a creature of elegance. Another simple cocktail of minimal ingredients, best served cold. It is a vehicle for light rum, simple syrup, and a little lime. Simple and to the point. 2 oz light rum 1 oz Lime juice 3/4 oz simple syrup Serve chilled or not, whatever works. Denimus VariationDenimus was a Paladin in the Third Age of Ionian Lore. He served his station with heroism and virtue. ...Which means, we have some nasty smite damage to work into this simple cocktail.
The simple answer is to roll in some dark Rum; probably Kraken. Instead of Lime, how about some Lemon? Grenadine (simple syrup with pomegranate) will fill that role. And then we need something else; a tiny radiant punch at the end. 2 oz Kraken spiced rum 1 oz Cherry Liqueur 1 oz Lemon Juice 3/4 oz Grenadine ---Makes 4 shots total This is where the metaphor gives way in favor of convenient alliteration. This will not remind you of a valiant knight charging into battle. Instead, this goes down smooth and sweet, SMITING you after the hit with a nice buzz. As I'm discovering, I make things that are tasty and strong, so be careful how many spell slot shots you dole out with this one. Smite responsibly. -Adamus |
Adam SummererProfessional Game Master musician, music teacher, game designer, amateur bartender, and aspiring fiction author. Honestly, I write what I want when I want. Often monster lore, sometimes miniature showcases, and the occasional movie/show review.
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