First, happy Burns Night to all who celebrate! Tonight’s the night!!

We conclude our month-long observation of Burns Night with a rock star of Scotch whisky cocktails: the Black Sabbath. (See what I did there?)

This is a very, very easy cocktail to make. Smoky Islay whiskies (and mezcals, tequilas, and other strongly flavored, aromatic spirits) benefit from a little sweetness, which in this case comes from the Averna amaro. The small whiff of absinthe lends a hint of pleasant decadence. 

If you’re not fond of the smokiness of Islay whiskies, you could also make this with the sweetness of Highland or Speyside Scotches. In that case, I’d recommend searching out a cask strength whisky so it  won’t be eclipsed by the Averna’s flavors. 

Of course, you can always bail out and just have a Bobby Burns, and no one will think the less of you on this hallowed night!

Don’t have a bottle of Averna? You should give it try! It’s delicious neat after dinner to settle your stomach (which is the origin of the amari in Italy), but also contributes to a lot of other tasty cocktails including my favorite Manhattan, the Black Manhattan and another delicious Scotch whisky cocktail, Smoke and Mirrors No. 2. 

A note on absinthe as well: If you don’t care to buy a large (750ml) bottle of this pungent liqueur, Pinnacle carries 100ml bottles of Absente. That size will go a long way if you only use it in cocktails. 

BLACK SABBATH
1½ oz Islay Scotch whisky
¾ oz Averna amaro
½ tsp Absinthe
1 dash Orange bitters

Combine ingredients in a mixing glass and stir with plenty of ice for 15-20 seconds, then strain into a chilled Nick and Nora or small Martini glass. Garnish with a twist of orange zest. 

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.