The Perfect Date

ABOUT

If you had to, how would you describe the perfect date as a cocktail? For our cocktail submission to the Gentleman Jack Whiskey Sour Classic, we decided to have a little fun. Inspired by our first outdoor quarantine dining experience: prosciutto wrapped dates stuffed with gorgonzola cheese. We made a homemade date syrup and added in a few crumbles of Gorgonzola cheese. Yes, you read that right — cheese!

First things first: the perfect date would obviously have to be a gentleman. That’s why the base spirit for this drink is Gentleman Jack. Because of its double charcoal mellowing process, Gentleman Jack is an exceptionally smooth Tennessee whiskey with sweet vanilla and caramel notes.

Next up, he’d have to be different. Definitely not like the other guys. That’s where our homemade date syrup comes in. Made with honey, water, dates, walnuts and thyme, this syrup is the unexpected surprise you never knew you needed. It also pairs exceptionally well with our Gentleman Jack.

He’d also have to be in touch with his emotions, no matter how sour or unpleasant they may be. Can you even make a whiskey sour without citrus juice? We don’t think so. That’s why this drink calls for just the right amount of lemon juice.

He’d also have to be dashing, but not obnoxious. That’s why we only add a dash of orange bitters. Just to spice things up a bit.

And of course he’d have to be a little cheesy. What eligible bachelor isn’t? That’s why we just had to add about two crumbles of Gorgonzola cheese to our cocktail. Just enough to give our drink a rich, smooth texture and a dash of saltiness.

And last, but not least, he’d have to have a great sense of style. This drink is served in a double old fashioned glass. An orange and thyme sprig garnish are optional garnishes.

Recipe Type: Cocktails

Glassware: Double Old Fashioned

Servings: 1

INGREDIENTS

  • 1.5 oz. Gentleman Jack

  • 3/4 oz. date syrup

    • 1 cup honey

    • 1 cup water

    • 1 cup diced dates

    • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

    • 2 thyme sprigs

  • 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice

  • 1 dash orange bitters

  • 2 - 3 crumbles Gorgonzola cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Prepare date syrup by adding water, honey, dates, walnuts, and thyme to a small saucepan and bringing the mixture to a boil

  2. Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 10 minutes

  3. Remove from heat and let syrup cool completely before use. Allow ingredients to steep in syrup while cooling to intensify the syrup’s flavor

  4. Strain the syrup and store in a glass container for use

  5. Add all of the ingredients to a cocktail shaker

  6. Dry shake without ice for 30 seconds

  7. Add ice to shaker and shake for 20 seconds or until shaker is frosty on the outside

  8. Double strain into a double old fashioned glass with a large ice cube

  9. Serve

CocktailsBartender Barrybartender barry, whiskey, bourbon1 Comment