The Irish Derby

Class up your St. Patrick’s Day party with this tart take on a Kentucky classic. The original Derby cocktail, first documented in 1947, called for bourbon, but a dose of smooth and citrus Irish whiskey gives this cocktail a flavor profile fit for the fightin’ Irish. The fresh lime and fragrant curacao enhance Redbreast whiskeys pleasant dried fruit notes and herbal aroma, while the bitters temper the whiskey’s signature spicy, custard finish. A snap to make, the brilliant orange Irish Derby looks particularly festive served up and garnished with a bright green twist of lime.

 

Ingredients:

1½ oz Irish whiskey, preferably Redbreast

½ oz sweet vermouth

½ oz dry curaçao

½ oz fresh-squeezed lime juice

2 dashes of Angostura bitters

Lime twist for garnish

 

Directions:

Load a cocktail shaker with ice and pour in the whiskey, vermouth, curacao, lime juice and Angostura bitters. Shake hard for 30 seconds or until fully chilled, then strain into a cold cocktail glass and finish with a lime twist.

 

Cocktail Pictures and text courtesy of Timeout.com