ENDANGERED COCKTAIL OF THE MONTH-THE IRISH BLONDE

By Pink Lady
It’s fun to raise a glass of something Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, and since we’ve covered most of the notable classic cocktails created with Irish whiskey pre-Prohibition, it seems quite fitting to turn our attention to a modern classic. The Irish Blonde is a creation developed by none other than King Cocktail himself, Dale DeGroff.

The drink is a simple, aperitif style formula that echoes the structure of many pre-Prohibition cocktails seeking to soften strong spirits with liqueurs and fortified wines. It’s a winning technique, and definitely something to keep in mind when poking around in your liquor cabinet, looking for something else to do with the bottle of orange curacao that’s been hanging out in there for a while.

Sherry is a much-beloved cocktail ingredient among modern mixologists thanks to the various styles that exist and the nuances that each can bring to your drink. Fino is a light, fresh, straw-colored style that can lengthen out a drink that borders upon syrupiness, and which brings a salinity to the party that can be quite interesting. In Boston, things can escalate quickly on Paddy’s Day, and that’s certainly part of the fun! If you’re looking for a sophisticated alternative to beers and shots, or just an elegant tipple before you switch to Guinness all day, give the Irish Blonde a try.

IRISH BLONDE
By Dale DeGroff

2 ounces of blended Irish whiskey
3/4 ounce of orange curaçao
1/4 ounce of Fino sherry
dashe Orange Bitters

STIR ingredients in a mixing glass with ice until well-chilled. STRAIN into a chilled cocktail glass. GARNISH with a flamed orange peel.

Sláinte!