Raise your glass. I’ve got a Scotch cocktail I’m calling Eleven/Eleven. It’s made with Hart Brothers Bowmore 11 Year Old Scotch Whisky and an applejack infused with 11 cardamom pods (hence Eleven/Eleven). I think you’ll like it. It’s a special occasion Scotch cocktail.
You see, it’s my Birthday. Yep, today’s the day. November 11th. Eleven/Eleven: A Scotch cocktail!
Eleven/Eleven A Scotch Cocktail with Cardamom and Apple
Don’t ask how old I am though. Not that I wouldn’t tell you– it’s just that I’m so old, I can’t quite remember how old I actually am.
Yes. That happens.
When you’re 11, you’re 11. You don’t care because you’re a kid. When you’re 12. You can’t wait to be 13, a teenager. When you’re 27– well, 28 sounds great. In those days it’s easy to remember how old you are. Then comes the blur of your 30s and 40s. One birthday seems exactly the same as the other. Pretty soon you’ve been 36 way too many years in a row. So I gotta think of a new age. Once I decide, you’ll be the first to know. I promise.
In the meantime how are we going to celebrate? I am not really a “gifts” kind of guy. Presents always make me uncomfortable– in an I’m not worthy kind of way. It can be so excruciating, even when I love the present. Because I always manage to come across as ungrateful. I can be such a prickly bastard. I don’t know why. In actuality I have never been given a gift I didn’t love wholeheartedly. I just have trouble expressing it in any way other than an I’m not worthy kind of way.
It’s kind of like that scene in the movie Harold and Maude. Harold gives Maude a token of his love and she flings it into the bay as Harold watches in astonishment. She then sighs contentedly and says– “so I’ll always know where it is.”
It’s not that she didn’t love her present, it’s just the emotions of the moment overwhelmed her, and she acted unconventionally. Well, I’m unconventional like Maude, only younger and not as good looking– don’t make any jokes, because I’ve heard them all before.
So raise your glass, and sip this Scotch Cocktail. Eleven/Eleven. It’s better than a Seven and Seven– because it’s my birthday. GREG
You don’t need to dry shake if you are not using egg white.
Ingredients
- 1 cup applejack
- 11 cardamom pods (lightly cracked)
- 2 ounce Hart Brothers Bowmore 11 Year Old Scotch Whisky
- ½ ounce maple syrup
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon egg white
- 1 lemon wheel (as garnish)
Directions
Make the cardamom infusion: Pour applejack into a 2‑cup lidded jar; add cardamom pods. Cover tightly with lid and shake gently. Place in a dark, cool area and shake gently every few days. After two weeks, strain infused applejack into a clean jar or bottle. This makes more than you need for one cocktail. Store covered in a cool dark place.
Make the cocktail: Pour 1 ounce infused applejack, scotch, maple syrup, lemon juice and egg white (if using) into a cocktail shaker. Cover and vigorously “dry shake” for about 30 seconds to combine. Uncap, fill the shaker 2/3 full with medium ice cubes, and shake vigorously until frothy, at least 30 seconds. Using a Hawthorn strainer, double strain through a wire-mesh sieve over one extra-large ice cube into a double old fashioned glass. Wait a moment for the foam to rise, then garnish with a lemon wheel.
you always rock cocktails!!!
Well, happy birthday young man. I can say that because I have deduced from several clues you have give over time that you are 5 years younger than I. Incidentally, (now that we see your photo — which I imagined you hated to have taken) you are much prettier than Maude. I hope you had a great day — especially knowing the entire country took the day off to celebrate you. Cardamom and scotch — will definitely try this!
This sounds awfully good. I hope you had a wonderful birthday, and thank you for reminding me about Harold and Maude. I have not thought of that film in years. Cheers!
Cheers and Happy Birthday! 🙂
Raising my glass to wish you a very Happy Belated Birthday, cheers!
Hey I already said Happy Birthday, so now I’ll just say I like that 11 11 thing. As far as gifts, I’m weird unless it’s Doug. I hate to open gifts in front of other people which is why I won’t do Christmas at Doug’s family. They open one at a time and I would rather speak to 1000 people than do that. Quirky. But maybe if I had this drink or two, I could do it. (Of course, it’s all still weird; one year Doug’s mom gave him barbecue sauce. Uh huh.
Happy, happy birthday! I hope it was a great one and that each one gets better and better!
Happy birthday! Photos looks great and the taste is excellent with whiskey 11 years old.
Happy birthday!! And I totally know what you mean about gifts. I love giving them, but I am terrible about receiving them. My bridal shower was a nightmare with everyone watching me open all the things.
Happy Birthday! I always get uncomfortable, too, when I receive presents, and for similar reasons. Anyway, what a great birthday drink! There aren’t that many good scotch cocktails out there (maybe 3? if that?), but this looks like a worthy addition. Love the idea of the cardamon-infused applejack!
Happy birthday!!! I will soooo make a toast in honor of you.
Happy birthday! I fall into the “what? A present? UH ER UM” category, so I can certainly relate. I think a cocktail or three made by someone else is the best birthday present. No awkwardness needed! 🙂
Happiest of birthdays, Greg! 11 has always been my favorite number (no real reason I can think of). No wonder I like you. Cheers!
Happy Birthday, good man! An excellent read―from the cocktail to the backstory. I’ve not had cardamom in a beverage that I knew of, and I’m not much of a Scotch drinker, but this libation may change that. Cheers!
Cheers to you! Happy 11th!
Many happy returns — enjoy your cocktail and your special day. Quite the catchy name…