Scotch whisky has an uneven record as a cocktail contestant. For every well-known contender (the Rob Roy), there’s also a dark horse (the Presbyterian) – not to mention a litany of glass-jawed washouts. The problem is Scotch’s belligerence. It has an indomitable character that doesn’t fraternize well with other flavours in the playground. Every now and then, there’s nothing better than a good fisticuff, so we present the Ginger Scotch Smash. An earthy, aggressive flavour, ginger is the perfect box on Scotch’s ear. Spicy, smoky and sharp, the combination delivers a one-two punch. Some mixing tips: Peel fresh ginger, then slice it thinly. As for the ginger beer, the spicier the better.

Ginger Scotch Smash

In the bottom of a tall glass, muddle the fresh ginger and lemon juice together. Fill the glass with ice, add Scotch and top off with ginger beer. Garnish with slices of ginger. 

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Chris Stearns is one of Canada’s foremost mixologists. You can reach him at cstearns@enroutemag.net.