Strange Encounters

Strange Encounters by Jarred Weigand

I’m toasting the terrific team of space sheep with an unusual tipple that captures the spirit of this close encounter of the heard kind. What kind of cocktail might ewe like, asks the polite bartender upon peering over the counter at the petit patrons. Might I suggest, carrot? Indeed, sheep love to munch on carrots, but finding a carrot in a cocktail is rather odd, which makes this particular cocktail strangely perfect. Created by New York bartender Jarred Weigand, it features carrot eau de vie – a brandy which has been distilled with lots and lots of carrots. Flavors of raw and roasted carrot, with fennel, walnut and hops permeate the palate. Weigand uses the incredible product from Reisetbauer in his creation. I made my own carrot infusion with gin for a serviceable home option, but make no mistake, that is not the same as distilling an eau di vie and won’t replicate the true experience. Reisetbauer uses ninety pounds of carrots to make a single liter of their spirit, after all.

Don’t you carrot all about cocktails?

The cocktail also features amontillado sherry, an unusual type of sherry which undergoes two aging periods. Sherry begins aging under a veil of yeast known as flor and drier style sherries like Fino and Manzanilla stop there. Amontillado, however, continues aging after the flor disappears, allowing oxidation to occur which imparts complex new flavors. Weigand won the 2018 US Sherry Cocktail Competition with this knowledge, blending amontillado with the carrot eau di vie, herbal aquavit, lemon, and a wonderful complimentary blend of sweet flavors including almond, honey and ginger. It’s strangely delicious. Cheers!

flocktale cocktail

Strange Encounters by Jarred Weigand

1 ½ oz amontillado sherry

½ oz aquavit

½ oz carrot eau de vie

 1 oz lemon

¼ oz orgeat

¼ oz honey syrup

¼ oz ginger syrup

1 dash aromatic bitters

Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a favorite glass. Garnish with a lime and carrot space ship.