Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Squid Mixes: Aldebaran Whiskey


The wonderful Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Relics" introduces Aldebaran Whiskey in this scene, then expands upon the concept in this one.  There isn't much to go on in terms of a recipe.  We know it's green and we know it's strong.  That's it.  When my wife told me she had a zested lemon and orange I could use for a cocktail, I decided I'd give it a try...

It's Trek so obviously there are already recipes online.  All the ones I found involve Gatorade which I'm absolutely not going to use.  There's enough green in my liquor cabinet to experiment.  Here's the recipe I concocted:

2 oz. Midori
1 oz. green Chartreuse
1 oz. lemon juice
.25 oz. orange juice
1 smidgen Irish whiskey

Yes, I actually have a measuring spoon labeled "smidgen."  I got it and a few others like it, mostly as a gag, from my dear, departed grandmother-in-law.  I wanted a little actual whiskey in the drink but not enough to impact the color.  I chose Irish whiskey because the Bushmills was the most lightly-colored whiskey in current inventory.  The association of Ireland with green was a bonus.

Midori was definitely the right vehicle for the color.  I felt I could be a little more daring than usual with the 110 proof Chartreuse because the Midori is only 40 proof.  The resulting flavor was Jolly Rancher-ish, not something I imagine Scotty would enjoy.  The melon flavor of the Midori impressively overwhelmed both the Chartreuse and the citrus fruits, all usually dependable heavyweights.  

I doubt I will ever try this again as my wife was only grudgingly keen from the start.  However, if I do, less sweet would be better.  It could do with a more alcoholic flavor bite, too.  I'm thinking tequila instead of the Chartreuse, perhaps even 2:1 in favor of the tequila.  I'll keep the lemon juice.  It brought exactly the right tint when I added it.

4 comments:

  1. I've never tried midori...

    It's been hot here, so it's ginger beer and chartreuse for.
    Not -just- those two, but they are ingredients in my favorite heat-beating drink.

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  2. I have no clue what Midori is. I'd be willing to try this

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    Replies
    1. It's a Japanese melon liqueur. I got it a while back for the specific purpose of expanding the color palette of my liquor cabinet. Midori means green in Japanese and it most definitely is.

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