Blackthorn

Recipe: Blackthorn (serves one)

• 2 oz. Irish whiskey
• 1 oz. sweet vermouth
• 2 dashes (1/4 teaspoon) Angostura bitters
• 1 bar spoon Pernod or absinthe
• lemon twist

Coat a cocktail glass with Pernod or absinthe, discard excess, and place glass in refrigerator to chill. Stir liquid ingredients in an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Strain into cocktail glass. Add the lemon twist.

This cocktail is essentially an Irish Manhattan, with a licorice rinse (like the Sazerac). It dates back at least to the 1930 Savoy Cocktail Book, although the recipe there calls for equal parts whiskey and dry vermouth. This is a sweeter, more spirit-forward version. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!