Crafting the perfect cocktail is an art, and pairing it with just the right dish elevates the experience to new heights. Glen Moray’s versatile single malt scotch forms the backbone of these three incredible cocktails: The Northern Great, The Pear Tree Classic, and The Moray Sour. Let’s explore which recipes best complement each drink, creating a harmonious balance of flavours for your next gathering.
The Northern Great
With its vibrant mix of Glen Moray Classic Single Malt Scotch, maple syrup, lime juice, raspberries, and fresh mint, The Northern Great is a refreshing cocktail with sweet and tangy notes.
Ingredients
• 50ml Glen Moray Classic Single Malt Scotch
• 2 bar spoons of maple syrup
• Juice of half a fresh lime
• Mint
• 5 Raspberries
• Lime Twist, to garnish
Method
1. Add lime juice, whisky, maple syrup and a few raspberries to a cocktail shaker.
2. Add ice and shake till the shaker is frosted.
3. Pour into a glass filled with mint leaves and cubed ice.
4. Garnish with a twist of lime and raspberries.
Perfect Pairing:
Maple-Glazed Pork Belly Bites: The cocktail’s maple syrup aligns seamlessly with the sweet, caramelized glaze of these bite-sized pork belly cubes. The lime juice in the drink cuts through the pork’s richness, while the raspberries and mint provide a fresh contrast. To prepare, slow-roast the pork belly with a maple glaze and serve it on skewers for easy pairing at parties.
Berry and Goat Cheese Crostini: Imagine toasted baguette slices topped with creamy goat cheese, fresh raspberries, and a drizzle of honey. The raspberries in the cocktail are echoed in the crostini, while the goat cheese adds a creamy tang that balances the sweetness. For extra flair, sprinkle chopped mint or candied walnuts on top.
The Pear Tree Classic
This delicate cocktail combines Glen Moray Classic, a hint of citrus, and the subtle earthiness of green tea, with fresh pear providing a crisp garnish.
Ingredients
• 50ml Glen Moray Classic Single Malt Scotch
• Lemon juice
• Apple and pear green tea
• Fresh pear, to garnish
Method
1. Pour the whisky into a cocktail glass and top with sweetened apple and pear green tea.
2. Add a dash of lemon juice to taste.
3. Garnish with a fanned pear.
Perfect Pairing:
Pear and Blue Cheese Salad: A balanced salad of thinly sliced pears, crumbled blue cheese, and candied walnuts on a bed of arugula or mixed greens is the ultimate pairing. The cocktail’s pear garnish finds its match in the fresh fruit, while the blue cheese offers a creamy, tangy counterpart to the drink’s green tea base. Candied walnuts add sweetness and crunch, making the salad a delightful starter.
Roast Chicken with Apple and Pear Chutney: Juicy roasted chicken served with a homemade apple and pear chutney brings out the cocktail’s fruity flavours. The chutney, infused with warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, provides a sweet and savoury contrast to the earthy notes of the green tea in the drink. Pair this with roasted vegetables or herb-infused rice for a complete main course.
The Moray Sour
This rich and creamy cocktail is a twist on the classic sour, featuring zesty lemon juice, aromatic bitters, fresh ginger, and a frothy egg white finish.
Ingredients
• 50ml Glen Moray Classic Single Malt Scotch
• 25ml fresh lemon juice
• 3 tsp caster sugar
• 1 dash of Bitters
• 1 fresh ginger root
• 1 lemongrass bulb
• 1 egg white
• Orange twist, to garnish
Method
1. Add all the ingredients into a mixing glass and stir with ice.
2. Strain with a fine-mesh sieve into a chilled martini glass.
Perfect Pairing:
Lemongrass and Ginger Chicken Skewers: Marinate chicken chunks in a mixture of lemongrass, fresh ginger, soy sauce, and lime juice, then grill to perfection. The ginger and lemongrass in the skewers echo the cocktail’s ingredients, creating a seamless flavour experience. The grill’s smokiness adds depth, while the zesty marinade balances the richness of the drink’s egg white froth.
Orange and Almond Cake: A flourless orange and almond cake offers a light yet indulgent pairing for The Moray Sour. The cake’s moist texture complements the frothy egg white in the drink, while its citrusy and nutty flavours enhance the orange twist garnish and the Scotch’s subtle sweetness. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a dusting of powdered sugar for extra flair.
