Words and photos by Gayle Pirie and John Clark
Barman Bryan Ranere wore many hats during his fifteen-year reign with us at Foreign Cinema, including film curator and filmmaker. He created this cocktail to feed our infatuation with the 1976 film that follows Led Zeppelin’s four musicians and infamous manager through the public trials and artistic triumphs of the group’s Madison Square Garden performance and album, for which the film was named. This amber concoction provides a warming glow, readying you for the food and conversation to follow. Originally, we listed the drink on our cocktail menu only by the band members’ hieroglyphic symbols, provoking questions and igniting conversation. Be warned: This rich, smoky cocktail may go down a little too easy.
Simple syrup is an essential tool in any bartender’s arsenal. We use honey rather than sugar in ours to give drinks a more velvety texture and nuanced flavor. We pair the syrup with whiskey and Cherry Heering in our signature cocktail, The Song Remains the Same, but you’ll want to have it on hand to enliven other scotch-based drinks.
The Song Remains the Same
Ingredients
- 2 ounces 60 ml Ardbeg Scotch Whisky
- ½ ounce 15 ml Cherry Heering liqueur
- ½ ounce 15 ml fresh lemon juice
- ½ ounce 15 ml honey simple syrup (below)
- 2 drops orange bitters
- twist of lemon or orange peel, for garnish
- ¼ cup 60 ml orange blossom or other floral honey
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker filled three-quarters with ice cubes, combine the whiskey, liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup, and bitters. Shake for 15 seconds. Strain into a coupe or martini glass and garnish with the citrus peel.
- To make Honey Simple Syrup:In a small saucepan, stir the honey with 1/4 cup (60 ml) water over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and stir frequently, until the honey dissolves completely, 2 to 3 minutes. Let cool completely. Refrigerate the syrup in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Excerpted from Foreign Cinema Cookbook © 2018 by Gayle Pirie and John Clark. Photography and excerpt reproduced with permission.