High-proof rum and Scotch whisky form the backbone of the Broadside, a powerful drink built over ice with bitters and fresh wormwood. The 151-proof rum drives the strength to around 27 percent ABV in the finished drink, tempered somewhat by the botanical bitterness of the bitters and the distinctive herbal note of wormwood, a plant historically associated with absinthe production. The wormwood is crushed and added to the ice before the spirits are poured over. Intensely aromatic and unapologetically spirit-forward, it suits those who favor challenging, robust cocktails.
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Broadside
Ingredientes
- 151 proof rum 1 shot
- Scotch 1/2 shot
- Bitters 3 drops
- Wormwood 1 Fresh
- Ice cubes
Instrucciones
Half fill the glass with ice cubes. Crush the wormwood and add to ice. Pour rum, scotch and butters, then serve!
Broadside es un cóctel de alto contenido alcohólico que combina ron de 151 grados y whisky escocés con bitters y ajenjo fresco, creando una bebida intensamente aromática y poderosa sobre hielo. A 26.61% ABV, la combinación de ron de alta graduación y Scotch se atempera con la amargura botánica de los bitters y el distintivo carácter herbal del ajenjo, históricamente usado en la producción de absenta.
History & Origins
Broadside is a modern cocktail with disputed origins, its nautical name evoking the firing of cannon from the side of a warship — an apt metaphor for the drink's powerful alcohol content. The use of wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is an unusual and intriguing ingredient choice that references the absinthe tradition. The combination of high-proof rum and Scotch reflects a creative approach to building strength and complexity through the pairing of two distinctly different spirits.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Intense alcohol from the 151 rum, smoky malt from the Scotch, the complex herbal bitterness of bitters, and a distinctive wormwood herbal note. Palate: Powerful and complex; the high-proof rum's heat and molasses meet the Scotch's smoke and malt, with bitters adding depth and the crushed wormwood contributing a bitter, aromatic herbal character. Finish: Long, warm, and herbal.
Pro Tip
Crush the fresh wormwood gently before placing it on the ice to release its aromatic oils, using it as both a garnish and an aromatic infusion in the glass.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main ingredients in a Broadside cocktail?
The Broadside is a rum-based cocktail traditionally made with dark or navy rum, which is central to its bold, molasses-rich flavour. Some recipes incorporate vermouth, bitters, or citrus alongside the rum for additional complexity. Wormwood bitters or absinthe may appear in craft versions, as wormwood — the botanical — is a legal and widely used flavouring ingredient in cocktails.
What glass and garnish suit the Broadside?
The Broadside is typically served in a rocks glass over a large ice cube, befitting its nautically inspired, robust character. A lime wedge or expressed orange twist is a common garnish, complementing the rum base. The drink's maritime name and rum base connect it to a tradition of sailor-inspired cocktails.
What is the naval origin of the name 'Broadside'?
A 'broadside' in naval warfare refers to the simultaneous firing of all guns on one side of a warship, and rum has been closely associated with the Royal Navy since the 17th century. Cocktail names evoking naval battles — Broadside, Admiral, Commodore — were fashionable in the 19th and early 20th centuries, often pairing dark rum with bold, assertive flavour combinations. The name signals a drink with punch and intensity.
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