Well MxMo time is here and just because we’re partying on the Dark Isles doesn’t mean we can’t join in the fun. One of our favorite blogs is hosting this month, Stewart Putney from Putney farm. The theme is intercontinental drinking, which gave us plenty of inspiration. Even if things got a little hairy…

The Wolf Man knows a thing or two about traveling round the world. John Talbot had come home from America only to meet trouble with gypsies that had surely come from all parts of the east. In the sequels he crosses continents and even the barrier of life and death to free himself of the curse. The original is a masterpiece with legends like Claude Rains, Bela Lugosi, and Lon Cheney Jr. The most captivating performance however goes to Maria Ouspenskaya as the gypsy Maleva. We dedicate this cocktail to that wonderful movie and those amazing characters.

We drew on the Fog Cutter and the Long Island Ice Tea when making this cocktail. Fog Cutter’s are powerful very citrus laden cocktails, Trader Vic sure did like his sour. We love the classic Fog Cutter and the Samoan Fog Cutter, but for our version we toned down the citrus, In doing so it let us bring out wonderful exotic spices. Chai tea, cinnamon syrup, and Bombay East all provide a rich backbone of spice to the tart refreshing citrus punch. When we think of intercontinental drinks we here often think of gin and Batavia Arrack. Both have long standings with old world sailing traditions. We also recall reading how dutch traders preserved their exotic herbs and spices during long voyages in barrels of grain alcohol. This drink comes from all around the world, but luckily with mega marts you don’t have to go that far.

Fog of Castle Talbot

1 oz Batavia Arrack

1 oz Bombay East

1 oz VS cognac

¾ oz cinnamon syrup

½ oz orange juice

½ oz fresh lime juice

½ oz fresh lemon juice

½ oz chilled chai tea

½ oz Appleton 12 year (float)

Shake together all the ingredients except the Appleton. Pour into a hurricane glass or a tiki mug then float the rum. Finish with a straw and a garnish of mint or a pineapple frond.

The drink itself starts bright, citrusy and very refreshing. The nose of the rum is so rich as it marries with the spices. Soon the tartness is filled with light sweetness and notes of exotic cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and coriander. The cognac provides needed body, mouthfeel, and roundness, we prefer Camus. The finish is a nice blend of sour and spice to keep one refreshed.

Hopefully this refreshing sip will cut the fog, especially if your ever running through the moors from some cursed beast man. But be careful and mind what the Trader said about his original Fog Cutter. “Fog cutter hell, After two of these you won’t even see the stuff.” Enjoy and thanks to Fred Yarm, Stewart Putney, and Putney Farm for hosting. Till next time…

“You get Hammered America” – JFL