sine metu

1 1/2 oz Jameson Irish Whiskey
1 oz Lillet Blanc
1/2 oz Cherry Heering
3 dash Jerry Thomas Decanter Bitters

Stir with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a brandied cherry.
On Thursday night, Andrea and I went down to Franklin Southie for their Jameson St. Patty's Warm Up Party. While I have not been convinced in the past that Irish Whiskey is best served in cocktails for it is too easily overwhelmed by other flavors, I was willing to give the spirit another go. Joy Richard had assembled a list of Jameson recipes that she and Peter Cipirini were serving up that night. The one I chose first was the Sine Metu which translates as "Without Fear". Indeed, it was hard to fear a drink that combined whiskey with the citrus peel notes of Lillet and rich cherry flavors of the Heering. The Sine Metu started with a cherry nose and had a faint whiskey taste on the front. The Lillet which appeared in the middle of the sip was also rather light, with the bitters and cherry flavors forming a delightful and complex swallow. The Bitter Truth's Jerry Thomas Decanter Bitters provided nutmeg and allspice notes which complemented the spicy Cherry Heering rather well. Perhaps the lighter nature of the Irish whiskey allowed the other flavors to shine through to make the Sine Metu a success.