The "Scottish Hare" is a cocktail I crafted for my bars participation in Negroni Week. Which was also my first time being a part of the event. The owner and I worked on quite a few variations for the menu we put together, acquiring a healthy buzz from all the trial & errors. Rough gig.

Our goal was to come up with two variations each. I knew I wanted to craft one using a different spirit, either rum or tequila, and one inspired by the "White Negroni," which is the one I'm sharing with you now. I knew I wanted to use Dolin Blanc, and one of my new favorites, Tempus Fugits' Kina L'Aero d'Or. Each of which bring a bitter-sweet and complex quality that I enjoy. Along with spice, floral, citrus, and herbal notes that I knew would help make this cocktail bright, crisp, and give it some character. I first made it with Hendricks Gin, which worked great but because it's light I knew I needed something to help round the cocktail out and give it that Oomf!! SoI tried some other gins, but they took overt herding, so back to Hendricks it was and a moment of silence to ponder. Went to our bitters shelf and there I found and grabbed Bittermens Boston Bittahs. With its chamomile and citrus notes I added a few drops to the mixture and presto, just what the doctor ordered. Next up was the garnish, lemon or orange? Both worked well. The lemon made it really bright and perhaps too much of the sweeter qualities of the ingredients. In turn, the orange really rounded out the cocktail, bring forward the sweet and the bitter and gave it depth. So orange it was. And the beverage was born.

With that being said, I offer up the "Scottish Hare." Hope you enjoy

1.25oz Hendricks Gin

.75oz Dolin Blanc

.75oz Tempus Fugit Kina L'Aero d'Or

5 drops Bittermens Boston Bittahs

Stir all the ingredients over ice in a mixing glass, then strain over 1 large ice cube in an Old Fashioned glass. Garnish with an orange twist. Serve......or drink.