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Esmeralda

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (118)
Esmeralda image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 2⁄3 fl oz Cachaça (unaged)
1⁄3 fl oz Peated single malt whisky
1⁄2 fl oz Elderflower liqueur
1⁄2 fl oz Lime juice (freshly squeezed)
1⁄4 fl oz Sugar syrup 'rich' (2 sugar to 1 water) 65.0°Brix

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

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How to make

Glass

Photographed in a Waterford Mixology Coupe Clear

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a COUPE GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of lime wedge.

Method

  1. SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
  2. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

  1. Garnish with lime wedge.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Esmeralda contains 199 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.5 standard drinks
  • 20.59% alc./vol. (41.17° proof)
  • 21.5 grams of pure alcohol

Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

History

Adapted from a recipe originally created by Ben Sandrof at Drink, Boston, USA.

More cocktails by Ben Sandrof

Review

Cachaça, lime and elderflower with a smoky hit of Islay whisky.

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$4.43 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 13 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


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* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

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Comments & Discussion

Rob de Santos Premium Member
Pleasant and the scotch and cachaca seemed to balance each other well but not something I'll add to the "library".
score: 1
Simon Sedgley Premium Member
We love this cocktail and think the combination of the "two ruffians" is inspired. But much as we love peated Scotch, the 10ml prescribed here is too much for our taste and we dial it back to 7.5ml or 5ml. Perhaps it's Islay's Lagavulin that we use that is too much of an alpha ruffian here.
score: 2
Daniel Jones
It was a very well balanced cocktail for me in the sweet to dry/sour range. This is an incredibly useful scale I've only seen used on this cocktail site that has led me to find many cocktails right in that 'sweet spot' for me. That being said I didn't enjoy the combination of St. Germain Elderflower liqueur & Novo Fogo silver Cachaça for a reason I can't quite describe. Like John said it does get better as it sits for a few minutes, maybe from temperature change or just settling.
score: 1
Avery Garnett
Tasty, but I don't get much of the elderflower or lime or anything except (balanced!) cachaca and peated whisky.
score: 0
Calvin Grant Premium Member
Simply delicious and way more complex than my first sip revealed. Is Esmeralda the elderflower in a polyamorous affair with funky cachaça and peaty scotch? Three assertive flavors in atomic harmony here.
score: 2
John Hinojos Premium Member
First sip tasted a bit medicinal. However, after letting it breathe and relax, it is quite pleasant. The tastes blend well together. I used a Clairin from Haiti as it is the closest to Cachaca that I can find in my liquor stores. It is also made from raw sugar cane.
score: 2
Lawrence Becker
We being less cachaça than Scotch drinkers, I made the ratio 4:2 instead of the called-for 5:1. Suited us fine. But I WILL try the original recipe next time. And thanks; would never have come up with this on my own!
score: 1
Evan A Zamir
I don't have Cachaca, is Rhum JM ok to substitute?
score: 1
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
Depending on your JM Rhum, it could be 50% alc./vol. which will be very dominant in this cocktail. JM is a different animal to cachaca but worth a try.
score: 0
John Hinojos Premium Member
I have found the unaged rhums from Haiti to be closer. Clarin makes some wonderful ones.
score: 1
John Hinojos Premium Member
Sorry that has a typo. Should be Clairin
score: 1
Rebecca Jeanson
note for myself: I only did 1 oz cachaca as that's all I had, and the cocktail was a bit odd. sour. cut the sugar as these cocktails are often too sweet but maybe I should have left it in?
score: 1
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
Just revisited with the slightly revised spec above. Boozy balanced and delicious. Cachaca and Islay are two ruffians playing harmoniously.
score: 0

View 9 comments and discussion

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Difford’s Shop logo
$4.43 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 13 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

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