September 30, 2022
Listen, I’ve (like many) had my share of what some call bad luck, or days that seem as if the fates (or whatever witches around a cauldron you like to mention) have it in for me. No doubt. But, but, but, on the flip side, I’ve had a few days where it feels I’m balancing it out with some good luck (the friendlier fates). Hopefully the same holds true, at least on the latter for you. There are days of big good luck (I’d mention specifics, but don’t want to call down curses by being too boasty), and days of small good luck, by the by. One of the small ones was of course the day I came up with this fine tipple. Mixing Armagnac (that dreamy drink), sherry (dreamy drink # 2 – perhaps slightly different dreams), and Green Chartreuse (dreamy #3 – again, perhaps a different dream. Someone should match dreams with spirits and liqueurs, like a bartending Sigmund Freud), the Lucky Duck has three big ingredients, that, lucky, when you work a bit on ratios and such, come together so, so nicely (with a kiss of simple, dontcha know). It just feels lucky, somehow.
Oh, you can go with what Armagnac and sherry you favor, but I suggest and use Château du Tariquet VS Classique Bas-Armagnac (aged in aged in oak for 3 years, and lovely, with toffee and bread aromas followed up vanilla, oak, and more) and Gonzalez Byass Tio Pepe fino sherry (aged for four years and quite dry, but with a light almond aroma, and a nutty taste with just a few fruity hints). Yumski.
Also, a reminder: no ducks are actually used in this drink. I heart ducks.
The Lucky Duck
Cracked ice
2 ounces Armagnac (Château du Tariquet VS Classique Bas-Armagnac is my preferred pick)
1/2 ounce Sherry (Gonzalez Byass Tio Pepe Fino Sherry is swell here)
1/2 ounce Green Chartreuse
1/4 ounce simple syrup
1. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway full with cracked ice. Add the Armagnac, Sherry, Chartreuse, and simple syrup. Stir well.
2. Strain into a cocktail glass. Sing the Loverboy classic Get Lucky. Sip. Repeat.
Tags: Armagnac, Château du Tariquet VS Classique Bas-Armagnac, cocktail, Cocktail Recipes, Friday Night Cocktail, Gonzalez Byass Tio Pepe Fino Sherry, green Chartreuse, sherry, The Lucky Duck, What I’m Drinking
Posted in: Armagnac, Cocktail Recipes, Liqueurs, Recipes, Sherry, What I'm Drinking
November 13, 2015
First: no ducks are actually used in this drink. If you were worried. Second, it’s Friday the 13th, and you have enough to be worried about without worrying about ducks. I mean, it’s a day renowned for bad luck (especially if you’re camping) and all that. However, this drink is sure to balance out any bad luck, so I suggest you make one double quick.
Why is this particular drink lucky? I’m glad you asked. It starts with Château du Tariquet VS Classique Bas-Armagnac. Armagnac isn’t as well-known at the level it should be. Distilled once, but aged more than most spirits in barrels, it leans towards warm, full flavors, and is usually made by smaller, family-owned producers who’ve been Armagnac-ing for hundreds of years. Château du Tariquet VS Classique Bas-Armagnac is aged in oak for 3 years, and is lovely, with toffee and bread aromas followed up vanilla, oak, and more. It’s well worth sipping solo, but also makes a fairly magnificent base for cocktails.
Especially when added to just a few other key ingredients. Here, the first is Gonzalez Byass Tio Pepe Fino Sherry (Sherry, by the way, is another ingredient not enough think of for cocktails, though it’s thankfully on the rise). Delicate in color, this Sherry is made by one the preeminent Sherry-making families (they’ve been making fine Sherries since 1835) aged for four years, and is quite dry, but with a light almond aroma, and a nutty taste with just a few fruity hints. It’s also quite nice by itself, with food, but brings an individual note to drinks. And if those two charmers weren’t enough, enter old pal Green Chartreuse. Which also brings a very signature style and flavor to any drink. And a little umph.
All together (plus a tiny bit of simple syrup to round out the edged), this is one seriously swell drink. Rich, layered, elegant (in a way that only certain drinks can be), but still approachable. If you can swing it, change your lucky to the better by tracking down these ingredients and making this before the day ends.
The Lucky Duck
Cracked ice
2 ounces Château du Tariquet VS Classique Bas-Armagnac
1/2 ounce Gonzalez Byass Tio Pepe Fino Sherry
1/2 ounce Green Chartreuse
1/4 ounce simple syrup
1. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway full with cracked ice. Add the Armagnac, Sherry, Chartreuse, and simple syrup. Stir well.
2. Strain into a cocktail glass. Feel lucky.
Tags: Armagnac, Château du Tariquet VS Classique Bas-Armagnac, Cocktail Recipes, cocktrail recipe, Friday Night Cocktail, Gonzalez Byass Tio Pepe Fino Sherry, green Chartreuse, sherry, The Lucky Duck, What I’m Drinking
Posted in: Armagnac, Cocktail Recipes, Liqueurs, Recipes, Sherry, What I'm Drinking
