OK—maybe I’ve been a little preoccupied with other projects of late. However, I assure you that they have all been beverage-related. (You probably knew that.) While doing some research in the East Bay, a friend and I hit upon the happy idea of remaking a Corpse Reviver #2 as a scotch cocktail. The CR2 is a classic hair-of-the-dog gin concoction meant for those days when you’re still a little shaky from the night before. Whether you think chasing a hangover this way is really a good idea is a matter of personal discretion but CR2 is a fine thing all the same. And this scotch version is very quaffable.
Banquo’s Ghost
- 1 oz scotch (used Black Grouse)
- 1 oz Cointreau
- 1 oz Cocchi Americano
- 1 oz lemon juice
- 1 dash absinthe
Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
The original Corpse Reviver #2 appears in the venerable
Savoy Cocktail Book, edited by Harry Craddock, and turns up in a number of other good bar books as well. Since the amount of absinthe varies slightly from author to author, I turned to the acknowledged authority on Craddock’s book, Erik Ellestad of
Savoy Stomp to see what he did with it. I swear I didn’t look at his
photo before icing that glass. Clearly the thing to use.
Other than it requires Scotch, is there some additional reason for calling it Banquo's Ghost? Does the chilled glass perhaps give off spectral vapors? Does it help to drown one's guilt for wicked deeds? Inquiring minds (of the Shakespeare geek sort) want to know.
ReplyDeleteIf you run afoul of a dangerous potion the night before, the liquid from the charmed vessel the next morning may cause you to return from the dead. Or not. (See discussion of Corpse Reviver #2 above.)
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