Halloween Cocktails: "Dark City" by Jay Jones

As we get closer to Halloween, our cocktails will begin to get darker, scarier, and bloodier. Today's contributor is Mr. Jay Jones from Market by Jean-Georges at the Shangri-La Hotel in Vancouver. The drink is in his simple but powerful style, yielding a very dark, almost black cocktail intended to end your evening. Jay introduces it himself:

"Newfound fondness for Knob Creek 9 year old 'Single Barrel Reserve' Bourbon (not to be confused with its more commonly known 9 year old 'small batch' brother) led me to spend some quality time considering its cocktail possibilities. [It's] a truly spectacularly bold whiskey of richness and fortitude - the 60% abv beast requires colleagues with equally substantial attributes. Although the taste profile is somewhat of a punch in the mouth, it is not without smoothness and balance. It simply asserts itself rather firmly. Fernet Branca seemed to be up to the pairing task - continuing the dark depths of the bourbon's tobacco, tar and spice characteristics. The essential amaro's inimitable traits are obvious in the final Cocktail, yet still serve as supporting cast to the bourbon's dominant and defining role. The structure becomes more complex and mingles concentrated herb tastes into a lengthy finish. Giffard continues as my liqueur brand of choice. Their Muroise du Val de Loire is a seductive and ripe foil to the angry assets of bourbon and amaro. (Muroise is a hybrid berry, forged with blackberry and raspberry). While its sweetness and natural flavours tone down the other two brutes, its beautiful deep blue/purple hue adjusts the previously dark amber blend into a unique colour which seems black but yields indigo when the light catches it right. Orange zest softens the drinkers first approach by the suggestion of refreshing citrus - a subtle touch with large impact on the whole personality of the complete cocktail.
The name, 'Dark City,' refers to the 1998 neo-noir sci-fi film of same name, but also makes a general emotional suggestion of the tone of the drink, suited to the end of a dim, cold night in downtown Vancouver.

It's aggressive, dark and virile. A closer - intended to finish you off."

Dark City

1.5 oz Knob Creek 9 year old Single Barrel Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon

0.5oz Fernet Branca

0.5oz Giffard Muroise du Val de Loire

Zest of Orange Peel

Method:

1. combine all liquid ingredients in a stirring vessel

2. load to just above liquid height with large ice cubes - scatter with cracked ice cubes

3. stir consistently at a medium pace for 20 rotations

4. fine strain contents into a room temperature rocks glass

5. fill to glass height with large ice cubes

6. zest drink's surface with fresh orange peel - discard spent peel

You can check out Jay's previous contributions to this site here:

"The Four Horsemen" for Amaro April

"The Jaguar" for the Bittered Sling Extracts Series

Stay tuned for more holiday drinks...

The Fall Series:

You can see the series introduction here
and more terrible Halloween cocktails here
"Death & Oranges" by Donnie Wheeler
"Jones' Bitter Aperitif" by Evelyn Chick 
"The Satchmo" by Simon Ogden 
Classic Halloween Cocktails
"The Giant Huntsman" by Lauren Mote
"The Bay Harbour Butcher" by Shaun Layton  
"A Nightmare On Juniper Street" by Shea Hogan 

[[ Photo by Jay Jones ]]