Maid Merrion - Irish Whiskey Cocktail

The IWSA creation, Maid Merrion, is our riff on two classic cocktails. Combining elements of the Irish Maid and Seelbach brings our version to life. The Irish Maid, created at the Dead Rabbit in New York, combines Irish whiskey and elderflower liqueur. The Seelbach is named for the famous Louisville, KY hotel known for its collection of art, ties to The Great Gatsby, and Prohibition influence. Their namesake classic cocktail combines bourbon and champagne with a heavy influence of bitters. 

Our Maid Merrion replaces the elderflower liqueur and champagne with Elderflower tonic, recreating the orchard pear notes while retaining the champagne's bubbly effervescence. We replace the Angostura and Peychaud bitters from the original with the Irish Beara Smoky Pear bitters. Our whiskey of choice is the peated single malt from W.D. O'Connell, aged in bourbon casks with flavors of poached pear. 

Our new combination of the two cocktails yields us the Maid Merrion, an ode to the heroine from Robin Hood fame. The Merrion is an iconic Dublin hotel with famed cocktail bar and collection of art, much like the Seelbach. Similar to Robin Hood lore, our Maid Merrion takes flavors from its rich ingredients and gives back to the drinker.

EQUIPMENT 

• IWSA Cocktail Shaker 
• Coupe Glass

INGREDIENTS