Search for Delicious

The Search for Delicious is a sophisticated and complex cocktail that balances the intense smokiness of Islay Scotch with the rich sweetness of cherry liqueur and the bright, bittersweet notes of grapefruit liqueur. Fresh lemon juice provides a necessary tartness, lifting the spirits and creating a harmonious and memorable drinking experience. It's a perfect example of a successful modern riff on a classic formula, offering a unique profile for adventurous palates.
Search for Delicious

Preparation

Preparation time: 4 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Search for Delicious is classified as a modern classic cocktail. It is an alcoholic mixed drink served 'up' in a stemmed glass, placing it firmly within the sophisticated cocktail category. Its creation in the late 2000s establishes its status as a contemporary favorite.

Serving

Serve this potent, cold cocktail in a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass. The final drink is relatively small but packs a significant flavor and alcohol punch.
Serving size
Approximately 90 ml / 3 oz (before dilution)
Alcohol content
Estimated 25-30% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

This drink was created by renowned bartender John deBary during his tenure at the iconic New York City speakeasy, PDT (Please Don't Tell). It is a direct and inventive riff on the classic Blood and Sand cocktail. The whimsical name is borrowed from the 1969 children's fantasy novel of the same name by Natalie Babbitt, reflecting the drink's enchanting and layered flavors.
Origin
Created in New York City, USA, around the late 2000s at the bar PDT (Please Don't Tell).

Search for Delicious

This cocktail is consistently known by its original name, "Search for Delicious," with no common alternative names in circulation.
Original name
Search for Delicious

Characteristics overview

This cocktail presents a captivating balance of smoky and fruity notes, with a beautiful rosy hue. The texture is silky, and the long, warming, peaty aftertaste makes it suitable for enjoyment year-round, particularly in cooler months.
Flavor
Smoky, peaty, fruity, cherry, grapefruit, tart, bittersweet, complex
Aroma
Smoky peat, citrus zest, sweet cherry, medicinal notes
Taste balance
Smoky, sweet, sour, bitter
Aftertaste
Long, smoky, warming, fruity
Fizziness
Still, none
Color appearance
Deep rosy pink, reddish-orange, clear
Texture
Smooth, silky, medium-bodied
Seasonality
Year-round, leaning towards autumn and winter

Flavor intensity & Experience

This is a flavor-intense drink, balancing moderate sweetness, sourness, and fruitiness against a strong backdrop of smoky alcohol. It has very low bitterness, saltiness, or creaminess and is completely still.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail is an equal-parts build requiring four key ingredients: a peated Islay Scotch, Cherry Heering liqueur, grapefruit liqueur, and fresh lemon juice.
  • Islay Scotch Whisky22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    A heavily peated Islay Scotch like Laphroaig 10 or Ardbeg 10 is essential for the characteristic smoky flavor.
  • Cherry Heering22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    This specific brand of cherry liqueur provides the classic sweet and rich dark cherry flavor.
  • Grapefruit Liqueur22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Giffard Pamplemousse is the original and recommended choice for its authentic, vibrant pink grapefruit profile.
  • Fresh Lemon Juice22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Freshly squeezed juice is crucial for the bright, tart flavor needed to balance the other ingredients.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a cocktail shaker to mix and chill the ingredients, and a set of strainers (Hawthorne and fine-mesh) to ensure a smooth, ice-free texture in the final drink.
  • Cocktail shaker for chilling and combining ingredients.
  • Jigger for accurate measurement.
  • Fine-mesh strainer and Hawthorne strainer for a clean pour.

Instructions

The method is straightforward: chill your glass, shake all ingredients with ice, and double strain into the glass to serve. The key is a vigorous shake to ensure proper chilling and dilution.
1. Chill your coupe or Nick & Nora glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer.
2. Add all ingredients—Islay Scotch, Cherry Heering, grapefruit liqueur, and fresh lemon juice—to a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with cubed ice, seal it, and shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds until well-chilled.
4. Double strain the mixture through a Hawthorne strainer and a fine-mesh strainer into your chilled glass.
5. If using, express the oils from a lemon twist over the drink's surface and discard the twist. Serve immediately.

Garnishing

This cocktail is typically served without a garnish to let the complex aromas shine. If desired, a lemon twist can be expressed over the surface to add bright citrus oils.
  • None, or a lemon twist expressed over the drink (optional).

Dietary Information

This cocktail is generally suitable for most dietary restrictions, being alcoholic but free from caffeine, dairy, eggs, soy, nuts, and gluten. It is also both vegan and vegetarian friendly.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail has a moderate calorie and sugar content, primarily from the Cherry Heering and grapefruit liqueurs. The total carbohydrates are also in the moderate range for a single serving.
Calories
Averagely 220-250 kcal / 920-1046 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 18-22 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 16-20 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This drink is ideal for a sophisticated cocktail hour or as a complex after-dinner digestif. Its unique character also makes it a great choice for impressing guests at a social gathering. It is particularly well-suited for drinkers looking to explore unconventional whisky cocktails.
  • Cocktail Hour
  • After Dinner Drink
  • Sophisticated Gatherings
  • Whisky Tasting Events

Pairing suggestions

The cocktail's smoky and rich profile pairs wonderfully with bold flavors. Consider serving it alongside smoked cheeses, rich charcuterie, or even dark chocolate. The fruity and acidic notes can also cut through the richness of fatty meats like duck.
  • Smoked cheeses like Gouda or cheddar
  • Charcuterie boards with cured meats
  • Dark chocolate
  • Grilled or smoked duck

The Search for Delicious: A Modern Smoky Masterpiece

The Search for Delicious is a modern masterpiece that transforms the classic Blood and Sand into a more intense and balanced cocktail. By substituting a smoky Islay Scotch and bright grapefruit liqueur, it achieves a remarkable complexity that appeals to adventurous drinkers. It is smoky, fruity, tart, and sweet all at once, offering a unique journey of flavors from the first sip to the long, peaty finish. A true testament to the art of the modern cocktail riff, it's a must-try for any fan of complex, spirit-forward drinks.

Similar Cocktails

Blood and Sand

The original classic this drink is based on. It uses blended Scotch, sweet vermouth, and orange juice instead of Islay Scotch, grapefruit liqueur, and lemon juice.

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