Washington Post – 6.1.11
A liquor named Root (Recipes)
Medicine Lodge
Spirits
* Course: Beverage
* Features: Fast
Summary:
Many of the same herbs in early root teas were used by Native Americans for medicinal purposes; thus the name of this refreshing drink. Apple and root beer are all-American flavors and mingle perfectly with the spice and effervescence of ginger beer. Laird’s Bottled in Bond Straight Apple Brandy or its 7 1/2-year aged brandy work well here.
Root is the brand name of a spirit that is based on the original “root tea” alcoholic precursor to root beer or birch beer, popular in Pennsylvania in the 17th to 19th centuries. We found it at Cairo Liquors (202-387-1500) and at Ace Beverage (202-966-4444), both in Northwest Washington.
1 serving
Ingredients:
* Ice
* 2 ounces apple brandy or applejack
* 1 ounce Root (see headnote)
* 1/2 ounce simple syrup (see NOTE)
* 2 dashes Angostura bitters
* Splash of ginger beer
* Slice of fresh, unpeeled ginger root
Directions:
Fill an old-fashioned or rocks glass with ice. Add the apple brandy or applejack, Root, simple syrup and bitters. Top with the ginger beer, then stir gently. Garnish with the ginger slice.
NOTE: To make simple syrup, combine 1/2 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup of water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a slow rolling boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 5 minutes. Transfer to a heatproof container and let cool to room temperature.
Recipe Source:
Adapted from Christian Gaal, bartender at Noble, an American Cookery in Philadelphia.
Pennsylvania Dutch Manhattan
Spirits
* Course: Beverage
* Features: Fast
Summary:
Because we’re calling Root an “American amaro,” it should be no surprise that it mixes well with all-American rye whiskey. This is basically a Manhattan variation that uses Root instead of bitters. The trick here is to use the bianco/blanc (a.k.a. white) vermouth, which is not to be confused with dry or sweet vermouth. Bianco vermouth is more herbal than dry vermouth and has more vanilla or honey notes than sweet vermouth. Martini and Cinzano brands make bianco vermouth; Dolin makes blanc.
Root is the brand name of a spirit that’s based on the original “root tea” alcoholic precursor to root beer or birch beer, popular in Pennsylvania in the 17th to 19th centuries. We found it at Cairo Liquors (202-387-1500) and at Ace Beverage (202-966-4444), both in Northwest Washington.
1 serving
Ingredients:
* Ice
* 1 1/2 ounces rye whiskey
* 1/2 ounce Root (see headnote)
* 1/2 ounce bianco or blanc vermouth (see headnote)
Directions:
Fill a mixing glass with ice. Add the rye whiskey, Root and bianco or blanc vermouth. Stir vigorously, then strain into a chilled cocktail (martini) glass.
Recipe Source:
From Spirits columnist Jason Wilson.
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