The Holy Grail

Eddie Boyd

Jan 3

I’ll raise my humble chalice in honor of the knightly quest with a toast for good fortune in this new year of 2026 AD. I searched the land high and low, although perhaps not as extensively or for as long as the exhausted noble knights of the grail quest. Many false cups were found in the tangled info web, as there does not appear to be any one definitive grail cocktail, but rather, so many. Yet one glowing goblet stood out in the darkness, beckoning to me.

Against all odds, I chose a tropical, tiki style elixir unusual for its choice of base spirit. The drink, found on Kindred Cocktails, and attributed to Eddie Boyd, is based on Amaro Montenegro, one of the more approachable and popular Italian amaros. Montenegro is mildly bitter and full of sweet citrus and vanilla flavors which blend well with the pineapple and lime juice. A small portion of mezcal adds weight and balance, and a delightful touch of smokiness. A hint of orgeat firmly establishes this as a tiki drink. I can’t quite picture the Knights of the Round Table tipping one of these back in a tankard, but had they, they certainly would have imagined they had tasted of the divine. Here’s to a new year full of pleasant adventures. Cheers!