Method
- Fill a mixing glass with Irish whiskey, sloe gin, sweet vermouth, and bitters.
- Add ice and stir until the drink is well-chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a lemon peel.
About the Blackthorn
The Blackthorn is a sour cocktail made with Irish whiskey, sloe gin, and vermouth. The base spirits are sweetened with vermouth and flavored with absinthe and bitters.
History
The cocktail appeared in the late 19th or early 20th century. Harry Johnson's 1900 edition of his Bartender's Manual included a version with Irish whiskey and sweet vermouth. The Savoy Cocktail Book (1930) listed a whiskey version as the primary recipe, relegating a sloe gin version to a secondary entry.