Fat Ox bar director Christiaan Röllich geeks out on unusual ingredients, exploring flavor profiles in his head before getting down to the nitty-gritty of creating a new cocktail. In the case of this silky little number, a scotch-based riff on the Old Fashioned, Röllich started with cardamom, known as the “queen of spices” back in the day for its heady aroma and flavors of resin and citrus. Röllich’s chef-y brain then leapt to cardamom’s flavor soulmates, including roasted chicory, which brings toasty coffee notes, and turmeric, an earthy spice used in Indian curries. Vanilla, he knew, would add a touch of familiar sweetness. The delicious result of Röllich’s mind games is an elegant, tongue-boggling sipper, complex without being tortured and thoroughly new-fashioned.
Despite its wow factor, this one is super easy to make. Add 2 oz. blended scotch whisky and ½ oz. premix* to a double Old Fashioned glass filled with ice (Röllich uses one big cube) and stir. Garnish with lemon and orange twists, and settle in for a first-rate holiday sipper.
*Add 1 cup inexpensive vodka, ½ cup brown sugar, 1 ½ tsp. black cardamom (ground first in spice grinder), ½ tsp. turmeric powder, 2 ¼ tsp. roasted chicory root granules and 1 tsp. vanilla paste to a medium saucepan and heat at low temperature, stirring occasionally. Cool and refrigerate. Makes 20 drinks’ worth.
$18
Fat Ox
6316 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale
480-307-6900
ilovefatox.com
