Julie Crespel
Three brown spirits are better than one in this multinational winter cocktail.
While the original Allies cocktail (gin, dry vermouth and kümmel) salutes British, French and Russian war efforts, Defectors bar manager Ben Willacy chooses to extend the homage to North American forces. “The Allies represents every major allied nation in World War II,” he says, adding patriots could replace half the Bourbon with Starward, a new Australian whisky in the bright Speyside style. As well as its multi-spirit base, this dark sour also calls for a dash of vodka. It’s an addition that might seem unorthodox, but Willacy assures us the Stolichnaya does more than wave the flag for Mother Russia. “The vodka lengthens the drink in a really unusual way,” he says. “I was delighted with the results and adding it to sours is something I’m going to keep playing around with.” Defectors, level one, 693 Beaufort St, Mount Lawley, WA, (08) 9328 6200.
Combine 30ml eggwhite, 30ml lemon juice, 20ml Chabot VSOP Armagnac, 20ml Monkey Shoulder whisky, 20ml Bulleit Bourbon, 10ml Stolichnaya Red vodka and 10ml maple syrup in a shaker. Shake briefly to emulsify the eggwhite, then add ice and shake hard to chill (15 seconds). Strain into a chilled coupe and serve.
