Pardon My French Recipe
Hennessy VSOP, High West Double Rye, Torched Absinthe, Bitters Blend, Agave
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Ingredients
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Cocktail
Optional/Tools
Method
Prep & Rinse
- 1
Chill glass
Place the rocks glass in the freezer for 5–10 minutes or fill with ice water while you prepare the cocktail to ensure the glass is chilled.
- 2
Absinthe rinse
Pour 0.25 oz absinthe into a small spritz bottle or onto a spoon. Discard the ice water from the chilled rocks glass. Coat the inside of the glass with the absinthe by rotating the glass to rinse the interior, or spray a light mist. Set the glass aside upside down to drain any excess.
- 3
Prepare orange peel
Using a peeler or sharp knife, cut a 1.5–2 inch strip of orange peel, avoiding too much white pith. Lightly express the oils over a small plate or the mixing glass by holding the peel with the outer skin facing the drink and giving it a firm squeeze.
Build
- 4
Combine spirits and sweetener
In a mixing glass filled with large ice, add 1.5 oz Hennessy VSOP, 0.5 oz High West Double Rye, 0.25 oz agave syrup, 2 dashes Angostura bitters, and 1 dash orange bitters.
- 5
- 6
Strain over ice
Place a large ice cube or sphere into the chilled, absinthe-rinsed rocks glass. Using a strainer, pour the stirred cocktail into the glass over the ice.
Torching & Finish
- 7
Torch the absinthe mist
If you applied absinthe with a spritz bottle, hold the spritz ~6–8 inches above the surface of the poured cocktail and give a single light mist across the drink. Immediately (safely) bring a lit long lighter or culinary torch close to the surface of the mist (about 2–3 inches) and briefly ignite the mist. Allow the flame to burn for 1–2 seconds then blow it out. If you used a spoon to apply absinthe, you can briefly warm the spoon with the torch to assist volatilizing the oils, then wave it once over the drink—do not pour flaming absinthe into the drink. Exercise caution — keep hair, clothing, and flammable objects away, and perform over a non-flammable surface.
- 8
Express and garnish
Immediately after extinguishing, express the orange peel oils over the drink by holding the peel above the cocktail and pinching to release the oils, then rub the peel around the rim and drop it into the glass as garnish.
- 9
Serve
Present the drink right away so the torched absinthe aroma is enjoyed. Advise the drinker to inhale the aromatic top before sipping to appreciate the layered aromas of cognac, rye spice, absinthe, bitters, and agave.