Every winter we spend a few weekends creating and testing new drink recipes to share with our friends at JordanCon. Only the best recipes accompany us to Atlanta, usually only one or two. This past year, however, we had a particularly long, cold winter; as a result, we ended up with a handful of new recipes to share this year. One of the most dramatic (and requested) of those was a layered cocktail we like to call “The Gathering Storm.” Take a look at the photo below and you should understand why.
Chip describes the taste of this drink as akin to a “creamy chocolate orange.” If that sounds delicious to you, here are the details on how to recreate this special cocktail.
Keep in mind it may take a few tries to get it just right; luckily, the ingredients are delicious. Be patient. Since this is a “layered” cocktail, make sure you read all the instructions and tips before you begin pouring the ingredients.
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce of Kahlua, or other coffee-flavored liqueur of your choice
- 1.5 ounces (or a standard shot) of Patrón Citrónge orange liqueur
A standard shot is about 1.5 ounces of liquor. - 1 ounce of Bailey’s Irish Creme
You can use a different brand of Irish Creme if you have one on hand.
- TIP:
- Before beginning, you may want to watch this short YouTube video on how to make a layered drink:
How to layer a cocktail
Layering makes use of the fact that different types of alcohol will have different specific gravities. As a result, one type may settle into the bottom of the glass, even if you pour it after another type of alcohol.
Instructions:
Take a glass tumbler or Old Fashioned glass and pour in your Kahlua. Next, pour Patrón Citrónge orange liqueur over the back of a spoon in a “shot layer” above the Kahlua, i.e., a layer that is the volume of a standard shot. By pouring the liqueur over the back of the spoon (with the pointy end held against one side of the glass), the Patrón will be split across the back of the spoon. This slows it down and keeps it from splooshing into the Kahlua and messing up the layer below before it settles. This may take some practice.
- TIP:
- You may need a tad more Patrón if you are trying to make even layers. since it will tend to mix a little. Or, you can just use a bit less Kahlua. If it takes a couple of weekends to get it just right, that’s okay – you get to drink your mistakes.
Next, clean your spoon (or use a different one), then add the Irish Cream in the same manner: by pouring it over the back of your spoon, to slow it down and keep it from falling straight through your layer of Patrón.
- TIP:
- These ingredients are best served chilled, but if you didn’t have time to do that, you can always add a couple of ice cubes AFTER the clouds have died down. But if you put them in too early after making the drink, you’ll miss the awesome cloud effect.
Now you’re ready to sample your creation. The end result should be a dark beverage with swirling, roiling clouds like those Renald Fanwar saw in the prologue of Book 12. Except these clouds taste like a creamy chocolate orange. Mmmm mmm. Drink a few of these and you too will know “what the Storm means,” so remember to always drink responsibly.
Til next time, enjoy!
