Brainstorm
Irish whiskey with dry vermouth and Bénédictine. A Savoy recipe.
Stirred · Coupe · Medium · about 3 minutes · about 30% ABV
Ingredients
- 60 ml Irish whiskey
- 15 ml Dry vermouth
- 7.5 ml Bénédictine
- Orange twist (garnish)
Method
- Chill the glass
- Pour 60 ml Irish whiskey into the mixing glass
- Pour 15 ml dry vermouth into the mixing glass
- Pour 7.5 ml Bénédictine into the mixing glass
- Add ice
- Stir
- Strain
- Garnish
Tip
Express the orange twist over the top.
About the Brainstorm
The vermouth cocktail family. Vermouth reached American bars in the 1860s and 1870s, and bartenders began stirring it with whiskey, gin and brandy. That gave us the Manhattan and the Martinez, the ancestor of the Martini. Drinks in this family are stirred rather than shaken, and they are all about the balance between the spirit and the aromatised wine.
Brainstorm FAQ
What's in a Brainstorm?
60 ml irish whiskey, 15 ml dry vermouth, 7.5 ml bénédictine, garnished with orange twist.
How strong is a Brainstorm?
About 30% ABV once mixed with ice, which is 2.3 Australian standard drinks per serve. That is close to a straight spirit, so sip it slowly.
Should I shake or stir a Brainstorm?
Stir it. It is made only of spirits and wines, so stirring keeps it clear and silky. Shaking would make it cloudy and frothy.
What glass do you serve a Brainstorm in?
A coupe, about 180 ml. Chill the glass first and serve without ice. No coupe? Use a martini glass or small wine glass.
