Remember your first celebrity crush? I was about six. I fell head over heels for Donny Osmond. I had a huge poster of Donny on my bedroom wall and a picture of him on my pillowcase. My grandfather knew someone who knew Donny and he got me an autographed picture and a purple cap that was also signed by him. I was so thrilled! Then he got married and I was devastated! I then moved on to Shaun Cassidy, Scott Baio, Rob Lowe, Rick Springfield and every member of Duran Duran. The good old 70’s and 80’s. I was to young to drink in the 70’s but when the 80’s hit It was Wine Coolers, Woo Woos, Fuzzy Navels and Sex on The Beach. Sweet , fun , not at all serious cocktails. If there really was a Hot Tub Time Machine I would jump into it in a heartbeat. I loved the 80’s. The decade of excess ! Some of the best times of my life!

Now that I’m a bit more mature (ahem) my crushes have changed and so has my taste in alcohol. I like something stronger with a bit more substance. Although I will occasionally still drink the odd fruity cocktail. I always had a thing for Irishmen and men from the UK (Hey I even married a Scot who’s half Irish!) He's got his own crushes but that's for another time. I’ve been to Ireland and the UK many, many times and always had a ball. Lot’s of great memories but I won’t kiss and tell! Who are my crushes these days? Patrick Dempsey and Gerard Butler.Yes I know Patrick is American but he's got those Irish eyes! I know what you’re thinking. You and thousands of others. Get in line. Hey a girl can dream right? We all do! So I created this cocktail with Irish Whiskey and Scotch. Two of my favorite things to drink. I named my drink after my crushes . Butler and Dempsey.

Gerard Butler. A Scot of Irish descent. Yes I know there’s a pattern here! I first noticed him on the silver screen in Timeline. Swoon!!! Going back in time to rescue a friend and staying there for his lady love . Very romantic indeed. My chosen scotch for this cocktail is Compass Box Great King Street Artist’s Blend. A beautiful golden colored blended scotch aged in three different casks. First fill American Oak, new French oak and sherry. Hints of vanilla, green apple, and spice. Honey and heather. Very drinkable and a real crowd pleaser. Although it does pack a bit of a kick. A perfect description for Gerard.

Patrick Dempsey. A great Irish name . I needed a great Irish Whiskey to go with it. I chose Teeling Small Batch. It’s got a high malt content and is matured in high quality rum casks which is unusual since Irish Whiskey is most often finished in bourbon or sherry casks. Non –chilled filtered and bottled at 46% abv it is one of the few small batch Irish whiskeys. Teeling Whiskey distillery is also the first new distillery in Dublin in over 125 years! This is also a whiskey for bourbon and rum drinkers. A little bit sweet. A little bit smooth. A bit of spice. Kind of like how I imagine Patrick would be!

So although my idea of romance is Irish, Scottish , British etc.. many would say what about the French? Paris is the city of love! Ok so I don’t have any celebrity crush from France but I do love Domaine de Canton. A wonderful ginger liqueur with hints of vanilla, honey and ginseng. Made with eau de vie , vsop and grand champagne cognacs. Ooh la la!!

After I combine my Irish, Scotch and French libations I add a few dashes of Bittermens Hopped Grapefruit bitters and a grapefruit twist for garnish. The citrus and bitters really finish off the cocktail nicely.

So next time you’re thinking about your celebrity crush (or any time really) have a Butler and Demspey and dream a little. You’ll be glad you did! Cheers!