Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/856981
august 2017 / the tasting panel / 1 15 Joel Pfeifle What the Mixologist Loves: "One of the things I love about drinks is the stories behind them, and Sandeman has such a great history. I started out with this drink idea by taking a traditional Whiskey Smash and thinking about the way Port could be at the forefront of that. I began with the fruit notes of the Ruby Porto to play with the cherries and the woody notes from the Tawny Port to pair with the Scotch. I liked the hints of chocolate from the Tawny Porto with the chocolate mint, a really cool variety of mint. It gives an herbal quality as well that plays with the cherries nicely. The chili liqueur gives just a hint of soft spice on the back end to really keep you wanting to drink more. Light and refreshing, perfect for a warm sunny day on the front porch." Front Port Sippin' by Joel Pfeifle ◗ 1 oz. Sandeman Tawny Porto 10 Years Old ◗ ½ oz. Sandeman Founders Reserve Ruby Porto ◗ ¾ oz. blended scotch ◗ ¼ oz. chile liqueur ◗ ½ oz. fresh lemon juice ◗ ¼ oz. fresh mint simple syrup ◗ 2 dashes orange bitters ◗ 4 ripe pitted Bing cherries ◗ 4–6 chocolate mint leaves Combine all ingredients in a shaking tin. Shake long and hard. Double-strain over fresh ice in a double Old Fashioned glass. Garnish with a chocolate mint sprig spiked into a pitted Bing cherry. Nick Jones What the Mixologist Loves: "It was fun to try out a new product and make a drink from an ingredient I have never used before! No Place Like Home is a reference to those ruby (Porto) slippers as well as a homage to summertime as a kid. Summer is always a time of fun and relaxation usually wherever home is. This cocktail is a refreshing cooler that would go nicely on a hot summer day wherever you feel at home. I used one and a half ounces of the Ruby Porto to make sure the flavors of the bright red berries stood out and combined it with strawberries to enhance that flavor. Orgeat and lime mix well with the sweet berry flavors and are rounded out with a small touch of Campari's bitter notes. The soda water is the finishing touch that melds all those great flavors into one fantastic summer time sipper. The ruby red color is a beautiful contrast from the garnishes, creating a stand-out drink." Joel Pfeifle. Nick Jones puts the finishing touches on his cocktail No Place Like Home. No Place like Home by Nick Jones ◗ 1½ oz. Sandeman Ruby Porto ◗ ½ oz. strawberry hibiscus syrup ◗ ½ oz. fresh lime juice ◗ ¼ oz. Campari ◗ ¾ oz. orgeat ◗ 1 oz. soda water Add all of the ingredients except the soda water into a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake until cold. Double strain the cocktail and pour into a tall crystal-cut Collins glass. Add crushed/pebble ice to bring the liquid almost to the fill line of the glass leaving just enough room for the soda water. Add 1 oz. of soda water to top off. Garnish with a lime wheel, fresh slice of strawberry and a flower.