Good Cork
The Good Cork is a masterfully balanced stirred cocktail that showcases the versatility of Irish whiskey. It blends the whiskey's characteristic spice with the honeyed, herbal sweetness of Bénédictine and the complex botanical profile of Yellow Chartreuse. A whisper of absinthe and dashes of bitters add layers of aromatic complexity, resulting in a robust yet elegant sipping drink for the discerning palate.
Preparation
Preparation time: 3 minutes
Preparation time
Difficulty
Drink Classification
The Good Cork is categorized as a modern classic, spirit-forward cocktail. Due to its rich, herbal, and robust character, it also serves wonderfully as a digestif to be enjoyed after a meal.
Serving
This is a strong, aromatic drink served cold and 'up' (without ice) in a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass to best present its complex flavors.
Serving size
Approximately 90 ml / 3 oz (before dilution)
Alcohol content
Approximately 30-35% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled
Backstory
This cocktail was created by Jillian Vose during her tenure as head bartender at the world-renowned Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog in New York City. The drink is a testament to the bar's mission of elevating Irish whiskey within the craft cocktail renaissance. Its name is a clever nod to the Irish heritage of both the spirit and the bar's theme, suggesting a quality drink worth uncorking.
Origin
Created in the 2010s by Jillian Vose at The Dead Rabbit bar in New York City, USA.
Good Cork
The drink is consistently known as the Good Cork, named by its creator at The Dead Rabbit bar in New York City. It does not have any common alternative names or translations.
Original name
Good Cork
Characteristics overview
This cocktail presents a complex, herbal, and spicy flavor profile with a silky texture and a beautiful golden amber hue. Its aroma is bright with lemon and botanicals, making it a warming and contemplative sipper.
Flavor
Herbal, Spicy, Nutty, Honeyed, Complex, Anise
Aroma
Lemon Zest, Botanical, Anise, Whiskey Spice, Honey
Taste balance
Sweet, Bitter, Spirit-forward
Aftertaste
Long, Warming, Herbal, Complex
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Clear, Golden Amber
Texture
Silky, Smooth, Rich
Seasonality
Year-round, Leans towards Autumn/Winter, Warming
Flavor intensity & Experience
The flavor is intense and spirit-forward, with a noticeable sweetness from the liqueurs balanced by herbal bitterness and whiskey spice. It is a completely still, non-creamy, and strong cocktail.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation
Ingredients
This drink requires a quality Irish whiskey, balanced by the herbal liqueurs Bénédictine and Yellow Chartreuse. Absinthe and a duo of classic bitters add aromatic depth and complexity.
- Irish Whiskey60 ml / 2 ozA single pot still whiskey like Powers John's Lane 12 Year or Redbreast 12 is recommended.
- Bénédictine D.O.M.15 ml / 0.5 ozA sweet, herbal liqueur with notes of honey and spice.
- Yellow Chartreuse7.5 ml / 0.25 ozThe milder, sweeter counterpart to Green Chartreuse, with honey and saffron notes.
- Absinthe1 bar spoon (approx. 5 ml / 0.16 oz)Used for its potent anise and herbal aroma; a rinse can be used for a more subtle effect.
- Angostura Bitters1 dashAdds spicy complexity and a drying quality.
- Peychaud's Bitters1 dashContributes bright floral and anise notes.
Ice type
- Cubed (for stirring)
Mixing equipments
You will need a standard stirring set to prepare this cocktail: a mixing glass, bar spoon, jigger for accurate measurements, and a strainer.
- Mixing glass for chilling and combining ingredients
- Bar spoon for stirring
- Jigger for measuring
- Strainer (Julep or Hawthorne) for pouring
Instructions
This cocktail is built by stirring all liquid ingredients with ice in a mixing glass, then straining the chilled mixture into a pre-chilled coupe. A final garnish of expressed lemon peel completes the drink.
1. Chill a coupe or Nick & Nora glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer.
2. Combine the Irish whiskey, Bénédictine, Yellow Chartreuse, absinthe, Angostura bitters, and Peychaud's bitters in a mixing glass.
3. Fill the mixing glass two-thirds full with cubed ice.
4. Stir with a bar spoon for 20-25 seconds until the outside of the glass is well-chilled and frosted.
5. Discard the ice from your prepared serving glass.
6. Strain the contents of the mixing glass into the chilled serving glass.
7. Take a fresh lemon peel, hold it over the drink's surface with the skin facing down, and pinch it to express the citrus oils onto the drink.
8. Drop the lemon peel into the glass as a garnish.
Garnishing
The cocktail is garnished with a lemon peel; its oils are expressed over the surface to add a bright, citrus aroma that complements the herbal notes.
- Lemon peel expressed over the drink and dropped in
Dietary Information
This cocktail is vegetarian but not vegan, as Bénédictine contains honey. Due to the whiskey base, it is not considered gluten-free for those with high sensitivity.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✕ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly
Nutrition information
This is a spirit-forward drink with a moderate calorie count, derived from both the alcohol and the sugar content of the herbal liqueurs.
Calories
Approximately 220-250 kcal / 920-1046 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 10-12 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 10 g
Sugar level
Occasions
This cocktail is perfect for a quiet evening of sipping, as a flavorful after-dinner digestif, or as a sophisticated choice to serve at a cocktail party.
- Evening Sipping
- After Dinner
- Cocktail Party
- Sophisticated Gathering
Pairing suggestions
The Good Cork pairs excellently with strong, savory flavors like aged cheese, charcuterie, and rich pâté. Its herbal sweetness also makes it a fantastic match for high-quality dark chocolate, creating a delightful after-dinner experience.
- Sharp aged cheddar cheese
- Dark chocolate with sea salt
- Cured meats like prosciutto or salami
- Rich pâté
The Good Cork: A Modern Irish Whiskey Masterpiece
The Good Cork is a sophisticated modern classic that champions Irish whiskey in a complex, spirit-forward format. Its intricate blend of whiskey, herbal liqueurs, and aromatic bitters creates a truly rewarding sipping experience that evolves in the glass. Ideal for enthusiasts of cocktails like the Vieux Carré or Sazerac, it offers a unique, warming profile with a long, satisfying finish. Created by Jillian Vose at The Dead Rabbit, it represents the pinnacle of modern Irish mixology.
Similar Cocktails
Vieux Carré
Shares Bénédictine and bitters, but uses a split base of rye whiskey and cognac, and sweet vermouth instead of Yellow Chartreuse.
Tipperary
A classic Irish whiskey cocktail that also features a French herbal liqueur, but opts for Green Chartreuse and sweet vermouth for a different herbal and sweet balance.
Widow's Kiss
A pre-prohibition classic featuring Bénédictine and Yellow Chartreuse, but uses Calvados (apple brandy) as the base spirit.
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