I got a crazy idea while at Needle and Thread a few weeks ago.  What would a Blood and Sand taste like if you crossed it with some potting soil and a used ashtray?  Depending on how you swing, it’s either the worst idea since Olestra (look it up, young ‘uns), or it’s fecking brilliant. 

I’m going with fecking brilliant.  For lack of a better way to describe it, let’s call it…

Blood and Sand and Squalor
.75 oz Ardbeg whiskey (Caol Isla or Laphroaig works fine, too)
.75 oz Dolin sweet vermouth
.75 oz Cherry Heering
.75 oz orange juice

Garnish with a brandied cherry and man up.

I got Andras at the Bottleneck Lounge to make me one of these last night in honor of the final Tom Waits Cocktail Club night.  I think Tom would dig it, if he still indulged.  Tastes like a rough night out involving cigars, whiskey, a dancing midget, passing out in a graveyard, and waking up at Norm’s drinking orange juice at 6 am.

In a good way.