I'm neither a beer nor whiskey drinker leaving me out of a lot of St.Patrick's Day camaraderie. Don't get me wrong - there's nothing like a cold beer on a 95-degree day and a visit to Wrigley means one is obligated to order a hot dog and a beer. My aversion to whiskey stems from a teenage encounter with a brown colored spirit that left a trail of Thanksgiving dinner from my aunt's house on the northwest side to my mother's place in Bucktown. It wasn't even whiskey but the scene so pummeled my neurons that any brown liquor can take me right back there. Until I had cocktail made with 2 GINGERS® Whiskey and realized it was time for my palate to grow up.
2 GINGERS® was founded in Minnesota by Irishman and former owner of one of the top-selling Irish whiskey bars, Kieran Folliard, who has lead the elixir to become the fastest growing Irish whiskey in the Midwest. The 80-proof blend is twice-distilled and aged for four years resulting in a smooth, slightly sweet taste followed by a tingle of honey and citrus. The spicy wood notes that carry a hint of caramel and vanilla to the finish are wonderful. The name refers to Mary and Delia, the red-haired women (whose faces are featured on the 2 GINGERS® bottle), who were the mother and aunt to founder Kieran Folliard. You've gotta love a guy who dedicates his whiskey to a couple of Irish firecrackers, one being his mom.
Available for the first time ever outside of Minnesota, the whiskey is rolling out in only a few select markets in the Midwest, including Illinois, Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota and Wisconsin, and is hitting shelves just in time to celebrate St. Patrick's Day so ask for it at your local liquor store (suggested retail is 19.99 for a 750ml bottle). The two trademarked signature cocktails (the BIG GINGER® and SKINNY GINGER®) offer a fresh twist and feature a double pour of the Irish spirit - recipes below.
Now I can warble Danny Boy with the rest of you as I sip my Big Ginger.
BIG GINGER®
Ingredients:
• 2 parts 2 GINGERS® whiskey
• Ginger Ale
• Lemon Wedge
• Lime Wedge
Method:
• Pour the 2 GINGERS® whiskey into a pint glass with ice.
• Top with ginger ale, followed by a wedge of a lemon and lime.
SKINNY GINGER®? Use diet ginger ale!
Comments