Hey There,

Today, on the first day of February, and the first day of Black History month we are sharing a recipe using small batch whiskey, Uncle Nearest.

Brief History Lesson: "More than one hundred and sixty years ago, in the hills above Lynchburg in Tennessee, there was a farm owned by a young preacher man called Dan Call that still stands today. Reverend Call had a side hustle down the road on his farm: a small whiskey distillery, which made a silky smooth, maple-sweet whiskey that was highly regarded by all that tasted it. The man who distilled the whiskey was a black slave named Nathan "Nearest" Green, known affectionately as Uncle Nearest,  and is hailed as the best whiskey maker, the world never knew."

"He brought with him a special technique of charcoal filtering that he had learned when cleaning water in West Africa. This method of filtering whiskey through sugar maple tree charcoal became known as the famous ‘Lincoln method’ and it’s still used today.

At some time in the 1850s, a young white boy came to Reverend Call asking for work. The Reverend took him on and gave him chores but the boy became increasingly fascinated by what was going on down the road at the distillery. Eventually, after begging his master, the boy, named Jasper, was introduced to Nathan ‘Uncle Nearest’ Green, who was told to teach him what he knew. A natural entrepreneur, Jasper so believed in this whiskey that he started selling it as far and wide as he could. 

December 6th 1865 came around and the thirteenth amendment was finally passed. Uncle Nearest was a free man. Not long after, Jasper bought the distillery and named it after himself, though he didn’t use his given name; he preferred what the locals called him: not Jasper Daniel, but Jack Daniel. He asked Nathan to be his very first master distiller, a position which he happily accepted. The men worked together until Nathan retired.

Nathan’s story was lost for a long time. We can only imagine why. However, a new distillery was built just down the road from Jack Daniel’s, where Nathan’s descendents work today. Quite rightly, it was named after the man who turned out to be the true founding father of Tennessee Whiskey: Nathan Green. Uncle Nearest. Both distilleries still enjoy a warm bond formed by their shared histories." (Read more: https://www.thethreedrinkers.com/magazine-content/uncle-nearest-founding-father-tennessee-whiskey)

Find Uncle Nearest, near you! https://unclenearest.com/store-locator/

All month we will be sharing our cocktail recipes made with black owned brands paired with unexpected or strange fruit. We hope you enjoy! As always, if you make any of our drinks, take a picture and share them with us online! Instagram ---> @ staynfocusimages

This makes 2 drinks! Let's get started!

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Here's what you need:

For Garnish (Coral Tuile)
High temperature cooking oil 
10g (about 1 heaping tbsp) All purpose flour
5g (about 1 heaping tsp) sugar
70g water
Optional: Edible Gold Dust and Small Brush

For Drink
3.5 oz. Uncle Nearest Whiskey
1.5 oz. Amaro
2.5 oz. Spiced Pear Simple Syrup
2-4 Dashes Orange Bitters
1-2 Small Wedges of Lemon
Ice

For  Spice Pear Simple Syrup
3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 Vanilla Bean
1 Large Pear
1 Cinnamon Stick
2-3 Sprigs of Thyme
3/4 - 1 Cup Water
 

You will also need, 2 Coup/Martini Glasses, Shaker, Hawthorne Strainer, Pairing Knife, Fine Mesh Strainer, Mixing Glass, Small Sealable Glass Jar (or Container), Small Sauce Pan, small skillet, squeeze bottle and spatula.

 

Let's Make the Garnish!

1. Add your cooking oil to the small skillet. You should have enough to complete cover the bottom plus a little extra. Heat over Low/Medium Heat
2. Combine Water, Flour and Sugar. Whisk until fully combined. Consistency should be very loose.
3. Pour mixture into your squeeze bottle or whatever you will pour from. (A Squeeze Bottle was easiest to use)
4. Once the pan is hot, and just before the oil begins to really sizzle, pour (or squeeze) a thin layer of your cookie mix into the pan. Caution: THE OIL WILL SPLATTER. I recommend using a mesh splatter shield or pot lid to avoid getting hit with hot oil. You can either coat the entire bottom of the pan or pour in small batches.
5. Now we wait. You will see the cookie bubble for quite some time. You want to allow it to cook until the bubbles subside some. Making sure the cookie doesn't begin to burn.
6. Once it looks done, remove from heat and allow to sit for a minute or two.
7. Gently using a spatula work up the edges of the tuile. Be very careful when removing as the cookie cools it becomes even more delicate.
8. Allow your tuile to drain and cool for several hours before dusting with edible gold dust using as garnish. 
9. This process can be tricky and you may need to adjust the ratios or ingredients to get the cookie right.

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Let's Make the Pear Spiced Simple Syrup!

1. Slice pair into 1 inch cubes and place in sauce pan.
2. Add sugar, water, vanilla bean, thyme, & cinnamon to the sauce pan
3. Reduce over low to medium low heat for about 25 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and let’s settle for five minutes.
5. Double strain in your glass jar using your mixing glass and fine mesh strainer. 

Note: Don’t throw away those cooked pears... snack on those later. :)

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Let's Make the Drink!

1. In your shaker add:
   • Ice,
   • Bitters (2-4 dashes)
   • Amaro (1.5 oz)
   • Spiced Pear Simple Syrup (2.5 oz)
   • Uncle Nearest Whiskey (3.5oz)
2. Shake vigorously for 15 to 20 seconds & pour equally into 2 glasses
3. Gently squeeze lemon wedge over at the drink and caress the rim of the glass.
4. Place your garnish coral tuile along with a sprig of thyme carefully and enjoy!

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"Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations."
—Dr. Mae Jemison, first African-American female astronaut