Bartender's Favourite Cocktail — The Kate Crowley Collins
Bringing you our first ever Bartender's favourite cocktail feature which we hope will be the first of many to come! A segment which showcases the best in the Irish trade and their go-to drinks, providing you with inspiration for your home bar or eventually when the time comes — apres-Covid — recommendations for your next night out!
Earlier this month, we chatted to Luke Crowley Holland, General Manager from the Celtic Whiskey Bar & Larder about his favourite cocktails and asked him to make one of his signature recipes — The Kate Crowley Collins. A cocktail which is his take on a Tom Collins — first appearing in the 'Father of Mixology', Jerry Thomas' 19882 New and Improved Bartender's Manual or How to Mix Drinks of the Present Style — and named after his mother, Kathleen Crowley who makes delicious Elderflower cordial every Summer.
Traditionally a Tom Collins would be crafted from gin, lemon juice, sugar and carbonated water which still follows true to Luke's recipe with a few extra additions — Mary Ellen's Elderflower Cordial, Cloudy Apple Juice and Fever Tree tonic. When we asked Luke why he chose this cocktail, he said "I typically love the classics and keeping it simple — Martinis, Manhattan's and Negroni's are all up there in my opinion, as there is something beautiful about creating something spectacular with only a few ingredients. However, this is one of my first creations that I was particularly proud of, it's incredibly refreshing and reminds me of fond Summer memories."
Luke has used a local gin, Skellig Six18 Gin as the key base for his cocktail (50ml). Skellig Six18 takes its name from the number of steps that are carved into the side of the Skellig Michael, and based over the road in Cahersiveen. Followed by, the addition of apple juice (10ml), lemon juice (10ml), simple syrup (10ml) and then Mary Ellen's Elderflower Cordial (25ml) — his mother's home production of Elderflower Cordial couldn't keep up with the busy nights in the Celtic Whiskey Bar! All of these ingredients are then shaken in an Antique Brass Plated Boston Shaker and strained into a wine glass with ice, topped up with Fever Tree tonic water and finally garnished with a wedge of lemon.
A great tasting cocktail if we may say so ourselves and one that is incredibly easy to make at home! The full list of ingredients and utensils can be found below, available for purchase at the Irish Drink Shop — an online drink shop that strives to deliver unusual, innovative drinks directly to your door.
Luke Crowley Holland kickstarted his career in the drinks industry at an eclectic range of pubs in London before returning to his roots in Co. Kerry. Since 2016, he found his stride as a Mixologist and Whiskey Specialist before becoming General Manager in 2018 and in turn, curator of the World's largest collection of Irish Whiskey. Luke has a passion for all things bespoke, craft and artisan. He firmly believes that his studies in History and Politics gives him an ability to reflect on the industry and drink trends from a wider perspective.
INGREDIENTS
Skellig Six18 Gin — 50ml
Mary Ellen's Elderflower Cordial — 25ml
Lemon Juice — 10ml
Cloudy Apple Juice — 10ml
Sugar Syrup — 10ml
Fever Tree Tonic Water to top up
Garnish with a lemon
UTENSILS
Heavy Duty Mexican Elbow Citrus Squeezer
Mezclar 25/35/50ngs Stainless Steel Jigger
Stainless Steel Freeflow Pourer 10 Pack
Antique Brass Plated Boston Cocktail Shaker
Want great offers and tons of inspiration? Join our mailing list and we’ll keep you posted about our latest news and offers. Join here at: http://eepurl.com/hhIkv5 (you can unsubscribe at anytime).
