When it comes to finding a balanced cocktail that combines intricate and unexpected ingredients, look no further than this cocktail made with Highland Park Scotch whisky. Highland Park offers a flavor profile of rich, fruity, aromas intertwined with intense floral peaty notes. Born in the Orkney Islands, a wind battered yet beautifully mild climate, makes a complex whisky like no other.
Below, we spoke with Christian Suzuki and Marguerite Regan of Wildhawk who crafted a delicious Highland Park cocktail that highlights the harmony of the wild elements found in the whisky’s unique island home.
How did you design the cocktail?
We wanted to approach Highland Park ’12 in two different ways, highlighting the scotch from opposite perspectives. With the Mac na Ghala, the inclusion of oloroso sherry and cocoa husk bring out the natural honey and dry fruit notes of Highland Park ’12. The scotch also has a beautiful malty note on the finish, which pairs opposite to the Mac na Ghala, but great with malty flavors like ube, coconut, and hazelnut—all of which are primary ingredients in the Mekong Sleepwalker.
What flavor notes did you pick up from Highland Park when making this?
Malt, honey, dried fruits.
When would you drink this?
Mekong Sleepwalker is best enjoyed during the hot summer days, while the Mac na Ghala is perfect at the end of those same hot summer nights.
How do you drink your Highland Park? What do you like about Highland Park?
We like it neat, we like it in a highball, we like it in cocktails without citrus, with citrus, we like our Highland Park with all of the above.
Where do you find your inspirations for what you do? How does San Francisco impact that?
There is so much diversity in the city and San Francisco is so culinary driven. We wanted to apply both of those aspects of this city into our two cocktails.
What are you most excited about in the year ahead?
Our reemergence of sincere hospitality and new cocktails to pair with new memories.
Mac na Ghala
1 oz Highland Park 12 Year Old
1 oz Olorosso
1 oz Cocoa Husk infused Salers
2 Dashes Orange Bitters
Mekong Sleepwalker
1 oz Highland Park 12 Year Old Scotch
.5 oz Rhum Blanc
1 oz Ube Coconut Milk
4 Dashes Aloe Liqueur
4 Dashes Hazelnut Liqueur
.25 oz Orange Juice
Try this cocktail at Wildhawk, 3464 19th St, San Francisco, CA 94110. To learn more about Highland Park and where to buy your own bottle, visit HERE.
Photography by: Drew Altizer Photography
