Presented by Cooks’ World and Pinnacle Wine & Liquor

Thanksgiving is upon us, and so is our annual surge of fresh apple cider! Jeffrey Morgenthaler, the noted Portland, Oregon, bartender and drinks writer who created this cocktail calls it, “Thanksgiving in a glass.” 

I agree. It’s apples and brown sugar and herbs and autumn baking spices, liquified and poured over ice. Morgenthaler admits the number of ingredients is “more tiki” than he usually uses but insists that each one is critical to the balance of flavors. The Scotch whisky and cider are stars of this show, and all other ingredients are seasoning, but be precise with your measurements to keep everything working well together.

First published in 2014, the Flannel Shirt has a short history as cocktails go, and most sites that post the recipe are either ambiguous about what style of Scotch to use or name a brand almost no one else does. However, if historical accuracy is your jam, Morgenthaler used Highland Park Single Malt Scotch originally because he created it for a Highland Park event. The mild smokiness of that whisky contributes to the evocative sense of chilly autumn evenings by a fire. I also enjoyed this made with Maclean’s Nose, the most flavorful and aromatic blended Scotch I’ve ever had, and I’ve seen it done with Monkey Shoulder—also a unique blend (of vatted malt whiskies!). If you love the heavily peated Islay Scotch whiskies, give your favorite a go!

Averna amaro is widely available and very useful for cocktail lovers, but if you don’t have it on hand or have trouble finding it, Amaro Nonino will work very nicely, too (maybe you’ve been mixing some Paper Planes?).

Despite the number of ingredients, this is an easy cocktail to mix, and your reward for attention to proportions will be a satisfying, luxurious drink with a velvety texture.

FLANNEL SHIRT
1¾ oz Scotch whisky of choice
1½ oz Fresh apple cider
½ oz Averna amaro
½ tsp St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram
¼ oz Freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tsp Demerara syrup (2:1 sugar:water)
2 dashes Angostura (aromatic) bitters

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with plenty of ice and shake until well chilled and mixed (15-20 sec.). Strain into a double Old Fashioned glass filled with fresh ice (preferably a large cube of clear ice to minimize dilution and preserve the amazing texture of the drink). Garnish with a long twist of orange peel.

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.

Shout out to the official supplier of elegant clear ice to the Libation Lounge: My friend Ralph DiTucci of Cristallino Premium Ice and Grace & Disgrace.