Tonight I was looking for something new to try with my much-loved Plymouth Sloe Gin and came across the Black Hawk on cocktaildb.com. I made two, the second time around I tweaked it with the addition of some grapefruit bitters which seemed to help cut the perception of sweetness and bring out the citrus action in the Sloe Gin. I would definitely recommend trying it that way, but here is the original recipe:
1 1/2 oz. Rye Whisky (Rittenhouse 100 proof)
1 1/2 oz Sloe Gin (Plymouth)
Stir oh so gently with lots of ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry.
Simple, right? And very good. Sweet and plummy but balanced out by the spicy rye. My elaboration: grapefruit bitters (Bittermens/Bitter Truth, 2 dashes). Even more tasty, if less simple.
There seem to be a lot of different variations on this recipe out there, one of which includes lemon and sugar in the mix. Maybe another time.
