Ask the Dust

2 oz Byrrh
1 1⁄2 oz Mezcal
1⁄2 oz Crème de Cacao (I used Tempus Fugit.)
2 ds Bitters, Angostura
1 bsp Absinthe (A scant bsp, a little less than 1/8 oz.)
Instructions

Build in a snifter (or single Old Fashioned) glass. Briefly stir to mix without ice. Note: This is a room temperature drink.

Notes

Scaffas have everything going for them to fulfill the 1806 definition of a cocktail except for the water component. They are served room temperature with no dilution.

History

The recipe started with thinking about Eric Seed (Haus Alpenz)'s declaration that Byrrh and mezcal are a stunning duo. The end result tasted better before dilution and chilling and ended up on the menu as a Scaffa. We used whatever mezcal was our well mezcal then, but I used Chichicapa for the photo to make it into Del Maguey's drink of the month in late 2014. Also, named after a John Fante book.

Cocktail summary
Posted by yarm on
Created by
Frederic Yarm, Russell House Tavern, Cambridge, MA.
Year
2014
Is the
author's original creation
Reference

http://cocktailvirgin.blogspot.com/2014/09/ask-dust.html

Curator
Not yet rated
Average
4 stars
(9 ratings)
YieldsDrink
Cocktail Book
Log in or sign up to start building your Cocktail Book.
From other users
  • Similar to Reluctant Saint w/o Campari
  • Bitter and warm. Love the reluctant saint (similar drink) better. — ★★★
  • Smoke and tobacco on nose, and later on finish. Red grapes and raspberries in sip. Some leather, some metal.
  • Ferry Beach boomerang?
Similar cocktails
  • The Reluctant Saint — Mezcal, Byrrh, Campari, Crème de Cacao, Absinthe, Orange peel
  • Maximiliano — Mezcal, Suze, Bianco Vermouth, Salt, Lemon zest
  • Smoke on the Horizon — Mezcal, Dry vermouth, Bruto Americano, Gran Classico, Orange peel, Lemon peel
  • The Dry Season — Mezcal, Tequila, Aromatized wine, Aperol
  • Desert Dawn — Mezcal, Aromatized wine, Reposado Tequila, Orange liqueur, Bitters, Orange bitters, Salt, Agave syrup
  • Burdick's Cocktail — Mezcal, Dry vermouth, Byrrh, Crème de Cacao, Peychaud's Bitters, Lemon peel
  • Don Jefe — Mezcal, Byrrh, Amaro Meletti, Orange bitters
  • Eyes on the Table — Mezcal, Byrrh, Aperol, Elderflower liqueur, Bitters, Orange peel
  • El Nacional — Mezcal, Campari, Ramazzotti, Dry vermouth, Chocolate bitters, Islay Scotch, Lemon peel
  • Traidor — Mezcal, Cardamaro, Aperol, Bitters, Orange peel
Comments
bza commented on 12/15/2021:

Funny, this is similar to a scaffa I just created that is mezcal, Carpano Antica, cacao, and Génépy. Randomly stumbled on this today! I added a couple of drops of saline and a bit of water to open it up. I'll have to try the absinthe approach, but I love the Génépy/Cacao combo, especially warm.