The Celtic Buck Recipe
- 1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) whole allspice berries or 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup (2 ounces) Scotch whisky
- 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) pear nectar
- 1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) fresh lemon juice
- About 5 to 6 cubes ice
- 3 tablespoons (1 1/2 ounces) ginger ale
- 3 slices pear (optional)
- 1 stick cinnamon (optional)
- 1 toothpick, 2 thin straws (optional)
- If using whole allspice, in spice or coffee grinder, buzz until powdery (about 20 seconds)
- In medium saucepan over moderately high heat, combine 2 cups water and sugar, stirring until sugar dissolves. Bring to boil, then stir in allspice. Remove from heat and let stand 45 minutes. Strain through fine-mesh sieve. (Syrup can be made ahead and refrigerated, tightly covered, up to 3 weeks.)
- In cocktail shaker, combine Scotch, pear nectar, lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon allspice syrup. Fill with ice and shake 20 seconds. Strain drink into tall glass filled with fresh ice. Top with ginger ale.
- To garnish, insert toothpick through pear slices to create fan. Tuck fan into top of glass, then add cinnamon stick and straws.