Port producers are pretty terrified of turning into the next Sherry. The harsh truth of that is that Sherry producers, rather infamously, let their drinkers die on them. A new generation of drinkers doesn’t know what proper Fino sherry is, let alone how to drink it properly. So they’re having to invent new ways to get the younger crowd drinking it. The best way so far? Cocktails! And the fine boys and girls whose job it is to market port round the world are right there with them.
Entry Level and Premium
One of the biggest issues for Port is that the really good stuff, like aged vintage Ports or Colheitas are pretty expensive stuff. If you don’t know much about Port, you’re not going to blow hundreds of quid on a bottle. So most of the Port bought is the entry level ruby ports. Well these days Port houses are seeing the rise in mixology (that’s cocktail making to you and me) and thinking how do we do something relatively affordable, like a ruby, but with enough depth for a great cocktail. This was the thinking as the Noval Black was born. A premium, ruby port that’s going to nail it in a cocktail bar.
Hire Yourself A Mixologist
So Quinta Do Noval worked with a fella called Jim Meehan, head mixologist at the PDT bar in New York to come up with some belters. Have yourself a go on these…
Port Authority
2 oz Noval Black Port
1 oz Laird’s Bonded Apple Brandy
5 oz Yellow Chartreuse
3 black olives
Directions: Stir with ice and strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with 3 black olives on a pick.
Link: Esquire Magazine
Deep Purple
1¾ Ounce Tesseron Lot 76 XO Cognac
1 Ounce Noval Black Port
¾ Ounces Lillet Rouge
6 concord grapes
1 shiso leaf
Directions: Muddle the concord grapes and shiso. Add the rest of the ingredients and ice. Shake and fine strain into a chilled rocks glass filled with pebble ice. Garnish with a shiso leaf.
Link: The Daily Meal
Third Wheel
1 Ounce Angel’s Envy Bourbon
2 Ounces Noval Black Port
2 Ounces brewed oolong tea (room temperature)
Directions: Build over ice in a wine glass Garnish with a mint sprig
Link: Shape Magazine
“Port (together with Sherry) is for old people.” That is what I thought too before going to Porto (Portugal). Now, I cannot immagine a Port in a cocktail without screaming: sacrilege! Perhaps it has to do with the sweet, confused, memories that are linked with this great drink or simply because, after trying it the first time, I always enjoy a glass of Tawny Port when I have it. (By the way I found your blog thanks to the drunkencyclist :))
completely agree with you, I don’t need it anywhere near a cocktail, port lovers of the world unite!!! 🙂
ahah well said!
If you can, also try the Beatnik cocktail (Port/Bourbon/Averna Amaro) which we served at our Beatnik Supper for Winchester Jazz Festival. It went down a storm!
Wow, sounds like beautiful rocket fuel, how was the slurring after a couple of them? 🙂
Port is so underrated in drinks, bring it back I say
Well Christmas is coming up…