Time for Some Sugar: Singleton Whisky & Sugar Bar Pop-Up
Do you like whisky? Do you like cookies? If you answered yes to both, then you are in luck. We are living in an age of culinary mash ups, from chicken waffles to cronuts, and now alcohol is getting involved. Singleton Whisky approached Christina Tosi, owner and baker of New York City’s Momofuku Milk Bar, to develop a delicious dessert to pair up with their whisky. Their collaborative pop up, The Singleton Whisky & Sugar Bar, is a must see in this year’s Night Noodle Market.
Singleton whisky is rich, smooth and balanced with light sweet, almost fruity flavour. As a result, it’s great for cocktails, which was what greeted me when I arrived through the beautifully fruit-ordained arch in the Whisky and Sugar Bar Pop-Up. Friendly servers came round with two varieties of cocktails, one sweet and one sour; as well as gorgeous mini canapes. While everyone was arriving and taking in the lovely set up, and decorated bar, we were entertained by a beautiful singer and jazz players. Even with the oncoming drizzle, it was the perfect blend of sophistication and comfort – like whisky and cookies.
The pop up is run run by MasterChef contestant and whisky aficionado Sean Baxter. Baxter is also an Australian Whisky Ambassador and the spokesperson for Singleton Whisky. He gave me the rundown of the traits of this Scottish gem. Distilled in the heart of Scotland, Singleton is known for its signature sweet orchid syrup flavours. For the event, they created their own signature cocktails: a version of an Old-Fashioned cocktail with a maple caramel twist and an apple infused whisky cocktail.
After speeches were made and drinks were sipped, out came the main event: the whisky cookies. Tosi spent two months testing recipes that would perfectly match with the maple flavours of the whisky, finally coming up with a whisky maple cookie. She used a whisky-infused cookie dough, and for an extra hit, sprinkled whisky sugar over the cookies before baking. This added a “deep, complex whiskey aroma and bite. It elicits the warm nostalgia of buttery, maple-syrup-laden pancakes served at breakfast.” And you know what? I totally agree. I don’t think I’ve ever tasted a more buttery and comforting cookie. I might have to switch my tea for whisky after this experience!
If you’re interested to #jointhefeast, the pop up will be in the Night Noodle Markets in Hyde Park from October 8-25.
– Orlaith Costello
