Tipperary

According to world-renowned bartender Jack McGarry of the Dead Rabbit in New York City, this riff on the Bijou is an underappreciated cocktail that’s perfect for any lover of American whiskey to dip their toes into the world of Irish whiskey. With sweet vermouth, green Chartreuse, bitters and the essence of an orange peel, this “re-balanced” recipe by the Dead Rabbit team is spirited and harmonious, with a robust nose of grain, fruit and herbs.

Though perhaps less mainstream than some of its fellow classic cocktails, the Tipperary has been around for quite some time. It first appeared in the 1916 printing of “Recipes for Mixed Drinks” by Hugo R. Ensslin and called for equal parts Bushmills Irish Whiskey, Chartreuse (no color specified) and Italian vermouth; in cocktail pioneer Harry MacElhone’s 1922 book ”ABC of Mixing Cocktails,” the Tipperary recipe appears as two ounces of Irish whiskey, one-half ounce of green Chartreuse and one ounce of sweet vermouth.

Today, the Dead Rabbit folks follow MacElhone’s lead—but with one small tweak as. They found that better balance is achieved by dialing down the Irish whiskey slightly. Watch McGarry himself stir up the perfect Tipperary, then give it a shot at home (just don’t forget to chill your cocktail glass first!).