Philadelphia Scotsman

 

Just by the name, I can tell that this was a Philly dive bar special somewhere. I'm making fun of this cocktail a little, because I'd hope that a Scotsman would be more discerning, but I know that many are not. 

Anyway, it isn't that I didn't like this cocktail--I just feel like I did a disservice to this particular drink. Ingredients count, and I used a cheap port that tasted like fortified concord grape wine. That's not the ruby color this drink deserves, nor is it the right flavor. I think that the point of apple brandy and port was to give the cocktail a kind of apple cider flavor, which often can be achieved with orange juice. Instead, it tasted like grape popsicle. 

I will soon rectify this recipe, though I'm not sure I'll go for a reprisal anytime soon. Just a word to the wise, ingredients count for a lot. I was two out of three on this one with fresh squeezed orange juice and Laird's Applejack 86.

• 1 oz. apple brandy (Laird's Applejack 86 used)
• 1 oz. ruby port (Taylor port not recommended)
• 1 oz. orange juice
• club soda
• orange zest

Combine apple brandy, port and orange juice in a shake with ice. Shake and strain into a Collins glass full of fresh ice. Top with soda and stir gently. Garnish with a twist of orange zest.