It’s December again. Well, not quite—but there was snow in the air and on the ground in Western New York early this week, so I call the horseshoes rule: It’s close enough. But you didn’t click over here for a weather report; either you’re here and know this already, or you aren’t and you don’t care. I bring this up only to justify this introduction of a peaty, smoky cocktail that’s perfect for cold winter weather.

Among spirituous liquors, none are smokier than peat-kilned Islay single malt Scotch whiskies (that’s AYE-la, not ISS-lay) or mezcals, for which agave piñas are traditionally baked and infused with smoke in a covered pit. Peat’s Dragon marries them both with a touch of lemon and some briny notes from Fino sherry. 

You mezcal fans out there, listen up: If you love the smoke of a hearty mezcal, you’re also very likely to love a peated Islay Scotch.  

In both categories—Scotch whisky or mezcal—you may find products as assertively or gently smoky as you wish. For my versions of this drink, I use either the reliably peaty Laphroaig 10 Year or Bruichladdich’s Port Charlotte 10—but there are plenty of hearty Islay Scotch whiskies at Pinnacle Wine & Liquor. For a mixing mezcal, it’s hard to beat the readily available Del Maguey Vida, but I’ve become a fan of the Madre mezcals; they’re moderately priced yet a cut above lower- or comparably-priced options.  

Oh—and the name of this cocktail. Yes, it’s a hijacking of the title of the popular children’s movie, which is set neither in Scotland or Oaxaca but in a coastal town in Maine. All of the elements of the cocktail are in the story, though: the salty air, the iodine-rich seaweed, and the smoke of a friendly dragon’s breath, and—just as Pete’s dragon Elliott can disappear at will—I made this drink disappear. 

PEAT’S DRAGON
1½ oz Islay Scotch whisky
1 oz Mezcal
½ oz Fino sherry
½ oz Agave syrup
¼ oz Freshly squeezed lemon juice
Lemon or lime wheel for garnish

Combine all of the ingredients in a shaker with plenty of ice and shake for 15 seconds or so to chill. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice (preferably a large cube of clear ice), then add the garnish. If using one large ice cube, simply lay the lemon or lime wheel on the cube.

About our Cocktail of the Week partners—shop local and independent!
Cooks’ World and Pinnacle Wine & Liquor are less than a mile from each other, on Monroe Avenue near Twelve Corners in Brighton.

Cooks’ World, in business since 1978, is Rochester’s premier retailer of dining, kitchen, and cooking products, including a complete selection of glassware, mixology tools, and accessories for wine and spirits lovers. Follow Cooks’ World on Facebook and Instagram. Sign up here to receive Cooks’ World’s daily email specials and other news. 

Pinnacle Wine & Liquor, in business since 1997, offers a thoughtfully curated selection of spirits and wine from around the world, with a savvy staff to assist in your selection and encourage you along your cocktail and wine journey. Follow Pinnacle on Facebook and Instagram. For the inside track on Pinnacle’s spirits sales, send two text messages to (585)765-7546:
— Text the word “bourbon,” to receive weekly text messages offering the chance to buy rare or allocated whiskies or special prices on popular products.
—Text the word “spirits,” to receive roughly monthly offers on fine spirits other than whiskies.