by Rachel Funk

Created on: October 15, 2009

There is a family of mixed drinks called simply Duos and Trios. This family is composed of cocktails that are made of a base spirit and a liqueur for the Duos. For a Trio a cream is added to the mix for a mellower concoction, such as a White Russian. The Widow's Cork is a Duo in this vast and flavorful family.

The Widow's Cork derives its name from where one of the two ingredients is made. Jameson Irish Whiskey is all made within a fifty mile radius of Cork, Ireland. Made from malted and unmalted Irish barely, locally grown, of course. The barley is kiln fired and triple distilled for a distinctly smooth flavor.

The remaining ingredient in this tasty Duo is amaretto, a sweet Italian liqueur with the flavor of almonds and lightly infused with the essence of apricot. This blend of delicate, sweet flavors with the bitterness of the almond kernel, gives amaretto a distinct and delightful taste. While there are several brands to choose from when searching for amaretto, it is important to remember that the quality of ingredients determines the quality of the final product, so choose carefully. A popular maker of amaretto is Disarrono, claiming to use the original recipe for amaretto, dated to 1525. While still providing a distinct almond flavor, Disarrono is nut free and safe for those with a nut allergy. Another prominent manufacturer is Paolo Lazzaroni & Figli, although made from infusing the flavor into the liqueur from amaretti de sarrono cookies. Whichever flavor suits your pallet best, will be the amaretto you will want to choose for mixing your cocktails.

To make a Widow's Cork, take an old fashioned glass and fill part way with ice. Add to the glass 2 oz of Jameson Whiskey and 1 oz of amaretto. Stir gently and sip. The flavor will delight the tongue and warm the belly and leave you ready for another.

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