Walnut Grove

Walnut Grove by Erick Castro

The toast to the Lotus Trilogy which concludes with the Butterfly Box echoes the story of the wood and comes from one of my favorite cocktail creators. Erick Castro and his incredible bars have each received every form of praise and prize that exist in the spirits industry, and I am trilled to be able to pair up such award winning talent for this offering. Erick’s industry leading podcast, Bartender at Large, is his “love letter to the art of bartending and the world of craft cocktails”, and his documentary of the same name takes you on a behind the scenes road trip from farm to distillery to consumer through the eyes of the best bartenders in the business.

Harvard’s nutty professor

On his blog Eric talks about this twist on the classic Harvard cocktail, which is essentially a cognac based Manhattan (rather than whiskey). He notes the original Harvard can be found in George Kappeler’s Modern American Drinks, 1895, although the drink has evolved over time and tastes into a two to one cognac to vermouth ration. Castro plays with the pattern, swapping the vermouth for madeira which adds a rich, warm and nutty sweetness that echoes in the cognac. He enhances that flavor even more with a hint of walnut liqueur, and brings nuance and balance by exchanging the traditional Angostura bitters for absinthe. The drink pays homage to California’s native tree and will transport you to the grove. Here’s to recognizing the patterns in our lives, and experiencing the wonderful pleasures of little shifts. Cheers.

Butterflies in my stomach

Walnut Grove by Erick Castro

2 oz XO Cognac

¾ oz madeira

¼ oz nocino

3 dashes absinthe

Stir ingredients with ice and strain into a favorite glass. Garnish with a lemon twist or lime peel butterfly.