Monterey is a Special Place | Cannabis Cocktail
Monterey is a Special Place. It reminds me of a trip to the Arizona desert, but first... what does Monterey have to do with Arizona? Possibly the spirituality of the place? North of Phoenix, heading towards Sedona are energy fields that surround the canyons and mountains. They remind me of the California seacoast. And Jim Morrison. The way the place makes me feel.
Certain beverages and mixtures of flavors take me to places far outside my scope. How does this happen? Through the memories of flavor. There are places I remember through the aromatics that I’ve enjoyed along the way.
Scotch Whisky is one of those persuasive flavors and aromas. A wee dram of this golden elixir weaves a path of remembrance through the remaining brain-cells that I possess (elicits subtle laughter).
When you mix Scotch Whisky, especially a smoky, peat laden example with seasonal fruits such as cranberries and napped with a hint of citrus and finished with the effervescence of good seltzer water… This is a cocktail that begs the question. Is there cannabis in there? Yes, there is, Granddaddy Purp. I love this cultivar with Scotch. There are wonderful smoky, purple qualities about this strain. And I use a healthy portion of it too! Each drink has about fifty mgs of cannabis in it. Probably more than that if the cannabis is really high THC, so without a lab to test my cocktails, I’d say start slowly. You don’t have to drink the entire beverage.
Use Common Sense.
I don’t just open a can of sugary sweet cranberry sauce. This drink is far more elegant than that. I use a very special pure fruit syrup to bring the smoky Scotch whisky into line. Manufactured in Massachusetts, Fruitations Syrups encapsulate the essence of authenticity. Their cranberry syrup evokes the fall, sip by sip. I infused the Fruitations Syrup in my Levo2 machine. This is the easiest way to make a delicious beverage that works every single time.
Pro tip: Always stir a drink with Whisky. Just like you would NEVER shake a Manhattan. It’s just not done!
I love to finish dinner with a portion of neat VSOP Rhum Agricole or an espresso—or even both. But when you’re not in the mood for post-prandial coffee or neat spirits (and that does happen from time to time), mix yourself a Monterey Is a Special Place. This fruity, effervescent, after-dinner cocktail is best made with a Scotch whiskey you’ve infused with a relaxing indica strain, like Grandaddy Purple. It smacks of fresh blue fruits, charred marshmallows, and baby skunks trapped in a pillowcase under your bed. You’ll be surprised at how well its flavors work with smooth blended Scotch. It’s a great way to prepare yourself for sleep, too: it’ll be lights-out before long.
Recipe: Monterey Is a Special Place
INGREDIENTS (SERVES 2)
2 Ounces (60ml) Fruitations Cranberry Mixer
1 Ounce (30ml) Cannabis-Infused Blended Scotch Whiskey (See Recipe)
1/2 Ounce (15ml) Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
2 Ounces (60ml) Seltzer Water
Greenish Cocktail Cherry (See Recipe), For Garnish
Hand-cut Ice Cubes
PROCESS
Fill a cocktail mixing glass three-quarters full with ice.
Add the Fruitations mixer, then the Scotch and the lemon juice.
Stir 40 times, no more and no less (don’t ask questions, just do it).
Strain over hand-cut ice cubes into two rocks glasses.
Top each with the seltzer.
Garnish with a Greenish Cocktail Cherry, and serve immediately.
Warren Bobrow is the CEO of Klaus Apothicaire, a 6x Author, Chef, Barman, Cannabis Alchemist, Master Mixologist. Some of his cannabis awards include: SXSW Cannabis Disruptor 2018, Berlin Bar Convent-Cannabis, and Moscow Bar Show-Master Class-Rum. He is the author of Cannabis Cocktails, Mocktails, and Tonics, Available in Indie Bookstores, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Indigo Books. See his cannabis creations on instagram.
Comments