Clyde May’s Alabama Whiskey took over Financial District’s Trading Post Tuesday for a night of delicious whiskey, comfort food inspired hor d’oeuvres, and true Southern hospitality.
An authentic staple of Southern prohibition culture, Clyde May’s first batch of craft whiskey was created in an illegal still over 70 years ago. May’s method of adding dried green apples and cinnamon to the barrels brought about a distinct flavor to the small-batch whiskey that still makes it one-of-a-kind to this day.
The best mixologists from Birmingham served delicious cocktails ranging from the simple & citrusy “Bullock County Revival” to the complex & sweet “Kindness of Strangers.”
It’s hard to pick a favorite when each one is so uniquely delicious but as a fan of a good Old Fashioned, the “Rickwood Classic” was my favorite. A little stronger than its classic counterpart, the Rickwood combined Clyde May’s whiskey with Cruzan Blackstrap Rum with Cynar (an herbal, aromatic Italian bitters), demerara sugar syrup, angostura bitters, and the final touch, a flamed orange peel that gave off an incredible aroma as I sipped.
In between cocktails, mini crab cakes and delicious fried chicken biscuits kept the event from going from boozy to woozy. Dessert consisted of apple beignets lightly dusted with cinnamon sugar and mini banana fosters with a creamy caramel syrup. Both perfectly complemented the flavors of the whiskey without being overly sweet.
The generous hosts provided each guest with a full bottle of Clyde May’s along with a set of glasses, embossed leather coasters, and even a jar of homemade apple jelly. Talk about Southern hospitality!
As a Southern girl, I’m picky with my whiskey and still give Clyde May’s a 9 out of 10 official Pancakes rating.
Check out the recipes below!
The Rickwood Classic
The Rickwood Classic
1.5 oz Clyde May’s whiskey
0.5 oz Cynar
0.5 oz Cruzan Blackstrap Rum
0.5 oz demera syrup
2 dashes angostura bitters
Flamed orange peel
Created by Feizal Valli
The Bullock County Revival
The Bullock County Revival
1.25 oz Clyde May’s whiskey
0.75 oz Bonal
0.75 fresh orange juice
1 spoon homemade Alabama apple jam
2 dashes black walnut bitters
Created by Feizal Valli
The Kindness of Strangers
The Kindness of Strangers
1.5 oz Clyde May’s whiskey
1 oz Lustau Manzanilla Sherry
1 oz fresh lemon juice
.5 oz Orgeat syrup
2 dashes coffee bitters
Lambrusco Float
Shaken, served long
Created by Steva Casey
Never Love a Wild Thing
Never Love a Wild Thing
1 oz Clyde May’s whiskey
1 oz Cynar
1 oz Dubonnet Rouge
Stirred. served in OF glass on an ice sphere
Created by Steva Casey
Article by: Lindsey Gardner
Read more about Clyde May’s Alabama Style Whiskey here.
