Clementine, Whiskey & Wine Cocktail
What’s the most creative cocktail you’ve ever had? One of my favorites is from Local Kitchen & Bar, a relatively new restaurant in my hometown of Ferndale, Michigan.
It’s a drink made with a combination of whiskey, citrus juices ad simple syrup. Sounds like just a standard cocktail, right?
The real kicker is that there is a “floater” of red wine poured on top. When I first read the description on the menu, it sounded….strange. And I wasn’t sure it was going to be good.
But I ordered it anyway, and it was fantastic. Strong but refreshing, sweet but not too much so, and a balanced combination of flavors. It was like whiskey drinks were always meant to have a little kick of wine!
Because that drink was so memorable, I wanted to figure out a way to approximate it at home. For my adaptation, I took my favorite winter fruit – clementines – and made a (very simple) simple syrup. I swirled that into some whiskey, and added ice and a cherry.
Then came the secret – getting the wine to float on top of the drink by slowing pouring the wine over a spoon right above the drink.
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Clementine, Whiskey & Wine Cocktail
Ingredients
For the Clementine Simple Syrup:
- 4 clementines peeled and segmented
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
For the Cocktail:
- 3 ounces Clementine Simple Syrup
- 3 ounces whiskey
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- Maraschino cherries for garnish (optional)
- 3 ounces Cabernet Sauvignon
Instructions
Make Clementine Simple Syrup:
- In medium saucepan, stir together clementines, sugar and water. Heat to boiling, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 5 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer, pressing on fruit to extract as much liquid as possible. Refrigerate until cool. Makes about 1-1/2 cups simple syrup.
Make Each Drink:
- Fill two rocks glasses with ice; add a few cherries to each glass, if desired. Fill cocktail shaker with ice; add Clementine Simple Syrup, whiskey and lemon juice, and shake well.
- Pour whiskey mixture over ice in glasses. Pour wine floater over top of cocktails by slowly pouring wine over a small spoon set over each glass.
Notes
- Take time to practice using a spoon so your drink stays layered!
So clever and pretty! Love the layers.
Thanks Dorothy!
What a cool way to get the wine to float on top. Thanks so much for the tip! This drink looks so festive!
You’re welcome, Susan! That spoon trick works for ANYTHING you want floated on top of a drink!
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OMG Lori this looks perfect for a Holiday party! I love it!
Thanks Cindy!
Oh my gosh, this is SO fun! I definitely need to make these and share for the holidays this year. So pretty.
I’m so glad you made them, Heather! It totally made my day seeing your pic on Instagram. Hope your Monday morning wasn’t too rough 😉
Lori, this is gorgeous, and I am sure tastes fantastic!
Thanks Brianne!
What a fun and creative cocktail…I have a bag of mandarins that I need to use up before we leave for home next weekend. This would be a really fun cocktail to try out!
Have fun with it, Wendy!
So pretty, Lori! Clementines are my favorite winter fruit…I would love to try them in this creative drink!
Thanks Alida! I generally love clementines as well, but have been a little disappointed by them this year. Not much flavor. I’m going to keep trying until I get a good box of them, though!
What a great idea. I love clementines and I will be trying this cocktail this holiday season. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome, Isabel. Although, I must confess – part of my reason for making this is my disappointment with clementines this year. The ones I’ve been getting haven’t been too great for eating.
That is a beautiful cocktail! What a great compliment to so many dishes. Yum!
Oh yes, it works well with all kinds of food – one of the reasons I love it so much.
Cheers! This is truly memorable and delish. I love the red wine floating on top.
Thanks Marjory!
Oh this sounds like such a yummy cocktail!
Thanks Lane!
Looks so festive!
It did turn out even more beautiful than I had hoped, I must admit 🙂
Not only does it look like a gorgeous drink but I bet the combo’s of flavors completes it! I NEED to try this! Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome, Tammi!
What a gorgeous cocktail! Perfect for any winter celebration!!!
Thank you, Liz!
Now this is a drink that just might get me liking whiskey. I’ve never had a drink with wine floated on top. I want to try it soon just to see how it is. Plus have the clementine simple syrup for other things.
Oh yes, the clementine simple syrup would be good to have around for all sorts of holiday drinks! If this can’t get you liking whiskey, nothing can 😉