Cooper Union

The COOPER UNION is a Sazerac-style whiskey cocktail that pre-rinses a glass with peaty Scotch instead of the traditional absinthe. It adds Irish whiskey with St-Germain liqueur and bitters after an icy stir. The recipe is pulled from Death & Company‘s classic bartending book. It’s a favorite for anyone in the mood for a whiskey cocktail served neat, but wanting a tasty mix that is cold and smooth without the burn. It’s sometimes simply called the Cooper.

Requirements: Scotch whisky (Laphroaig 10-year preferred), Irish whiskey (Redbreast 12-year preferred), St-Germain liqueur, orange bitters, lemon twist

• 1 oz. rinse peaty Scotch whisky
• 2 oz. Irish whiskey
• 1/2 oz. St-Germain elderflower liqueur
• 1 dash orange bitters
• 1 lemon twist

Rinse a chilled Old-Fashioned or rocks glass with a smokey Scotch whisky. Add other ingredients to an ice-filled glass and stir to chill. Strain into the pre-rinsed Old-Fashioned or rocks glass. Squeeze a lemon peel or twist into the drink and drop in (or not). Serve without ice.

Comments: As is so often the case, this recipe can still be enjoyed even if the Laphroaig and Redbreast whiskies are not available. I followed the template but used the peatiest Scotch I had — Dewar’s — and Teeling Irish whiskey instead of Redbreast. It was outstanding even with substitutions. Sometimes games are won even when your best players are out.

Similar Cocktails:

Sazerac — https://keetscocktails.com/sazerac-2/

Blarney Stone — https://keetscocktails.com/blarney-stone/

Jameson Whiskey Sour — https://keetscocktails.com/jameson-whiskey-sour/