This week’s cocktail is still keeping with the Bourbon theme from last month, but it’s a little more complex than some of our past drinks. However, my Aunt Debra gave me the inspiration for it, and after a little research and a lot of taste testing, I decided it had to be included as a Cocktail with Cally!

Game of Thrones!
Photograph courtesy of http://www.wikipedia.com

I’m sure some of you, not all, but some, have seen the show Game of Thrones. It happens to be one of my favorite shows and I love everything about it. It just so happens that there was a bloody scene at the end of one of the seasons at a very important wedding. The episode was entitled, The Red Wedding. This was the inspiration for this very red cocktail. Yes, a little gory I know, but still darn tasty!

One of my favorite restaurants in Charleston, South Carolina is Edmonds Oast and if you get the chance to eat there, please, do yourself a favor and eat at the chefs table and order the full charcuterie and cheese plate. It’s huge, but totally worth it! While Edmonds Oast is a microbrewery, they boast some fantastic craft cocktails. Unfortunately for me, I was pregnant the last time we were there and didn’t get a chance to try one. Apparently it’s frowned upon to drink hard liquor while with child! Just kidding, I knew better and Bur was worth going cocktailess for nine months! Anyways, my Aunt Debra and Uncle Benji are there this week, while they make a trip from Florida up to see me and my family in Kentucky. We are celebrating christening Bur this weekend and it wouldn’t be complete without my Godparents here!

This is the picture my Aunt Debra sent me from Edmonds Oast that inspired this weeks post!

They had dinner there a few days ago and she had The Red Wedding Cocktail and had to send me a picture of it, since she knows of my affinity for a great cocktail! I immediately went to making all the components of it and was so moved by it, that I knew it had to be featured this week! Like I said, it’s a little more involved than our past drinks, but I can assure you that it’s worth it!

This drink boasts its own special ice cubes that are flavored with Thyme and Hibiscus. You will have to make these ahead of time, but you can make a bunch and they keep for about a month in the freezer. They really do make the drink and are very pretty. They would also be good in a lemonade or iced tea.

Now, one component might be a little elusive to find. Averna is an Italian Liquor that you will probably need to go to a specialty store to find. But remember, you will impress all of your friends with your various knowledge and use of these fun little drink additives, so it’s worth the extra stop at a specialty liquor store to grab a bottle.

Since muddling is involved, you’ll want a sturdier glass, like an Old Fashioned glass or a tumbler. However, I plan on making this drink with my travel bar, so it will be on the tailgate of my truck and will be drank out of a Solo Cup. I’ll just have to try and be careful when I’m muddling!

There are several variations and versions of a Red Wedding Cocktail, but this one is by far my favorite and produces flavors that you won’t find in another drink!

First, we have to make the special ice cubes….

Red Wedding Ice Cubes-
Ingredients:

I went local for my Ginger Ale!! You can’t beat Gents Original Toasted Oak Ginger Ale!

• 3 cups boiling water
• 1/4 cup loose-leaf hibiscus tea
• 1/2 cup brewed English breakfast tea
  6 thyme sprigs
• 1/4 teaspoon orange blossom water (you can find this in the bitters section of the liquor store)
• 3/4 cup Demerara sugar (a special type of sugar, but turbine or regular granulated sugar can be substituted in a pinch)
• 3/4 cup ginger ale (since this drink comes from Charleston, they prefer Blenhiems, but I am going to use a local Lexington favorite, Gents Original Toasted Oak Ginger Ale)

Directions:

In a large heatproof bowl, combine the water, hibiscus tea, English breakfast tea, thyme and orange blossom water and let steep for 5 minutes. Add the sugar and stir until dissolved. Add the ginger ale, then strain through a fine mesh strainer into a pitcher. Pour into 1-inch square ice cube molds and freeze until solid.

Now for the drink!

Red Wedding Cocktail – Makes one drink
Ingredients:

• Orange peel
• 1/2 ounce Averna
• 2 ounces aged bourbon (they prefer Elijah Craig, and that is probably what I’ll use, but you can use what you have on hand)
• 3 Red Wedding ice cubes (recipe above

Directions:

My Red Wedding!!!

In a double Old Fashioned glass (or Solo Cup, if you’re tailgating!), muddle the orange peel with the Averna. Add bourbon and stir briefly, then add ice cubes and stir until just chilled, about 20 seconds. Serve after ice cubes have melted slightly for the most flavor.

Please make plenty of these ice cubes and try them in different drink! They are amazing! This drink will make you popular with Game of Throne fanatics and cocktail connoisseurs alike!