Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night

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Cocktail History

The Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night is a modern cocktail that was created by Chantal Tseng in Washington, D.C. Based on the Hot Toddy, this version replaces the traditional hot water base with aromatic Earl Grey tea, adding depth and complexity with its bergamot notes. Smoky Scotch whisky then serves as the foundation before balancing it with honey syrup for sweetness, a touch of allspice dram for warmth, and lemon juice for brightness. The result is a layered, comforting cocktail perfect for cooler weather.

Cocktail Ingredients

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Earl Grey Tea: This is a type of tea made with bergamot orange oil and leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant that are harvested, withered, rolled, and dried to develop a citrusy, slightly floral flavor.

Islay Scotch: This is a type of whisky made on the island of Islay in Scotland with malted barley or grains and yeast, which are distilled and then dried with peat fires and aged in oak barrels to develop a smoky, peaty flavor.

Honey Syrup: This is a sweetener made with honey and water, which are heated and infused into a syrup with a sweet flavor.

Allspice Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with allspice berries, distilled alcohol, water, and sugar, which are blended, infused, and sometimes aged to develop a warm, spiced flavor.

Lemon Juice: This is the liquid extracted from the flesh of ripe lemons that has a sweet, tangy flavor and light yellow color.

Star Anise: This is a spice made from the fruit of an evergreen tree, which is dried for its strong, licorice-like flavor.

Brands I Used

• 🔗 Twinings Earl Grey Black Tea
• 🔗 Laphroig 10 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
• 🔗 Monin Premium Honey Syrup
• 🔗 St. Elizabeth’s Allspice Dram
• 🔗 Frontier Co-op Star Anise

Bartending Tools

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:

Bar Mat: This is a rubber or silicone mat that’s placed on the bar surface and used for catching spills, providing grip for glasses and tools, and keeping the workspace clean and organized.

Jigger: This is a small double-sided tool with different volume measurements on each side that’s used for accurately portioning ingredients.

Cutting Board: This is a flat, durable kitchen surface made from materials like wood or plastic that’s used for slicing ingredients and preparing garnishes.

Paring Knife: This is a small kitchen knife with a narrow, sharp blade that’s used for peeling fruit and trimming garnishes.

Electric Citrus Juicer: This is a kitchen appliance with a motorized reamer that’s used for quickly extracting juice from citrus fruits.

Fine Mesh Strainer: This is a mesh metal strainer with a tightly woven bowl and handle that’s used for straining out small ice shards and other solids while pouring cocktails from a shaker or mixing glass.

Measuring Cup: This is a kitchen tool with a handled cup and marked volume measurements that’s used for accurately measuring and pouring liquid ingredients.

Saucepan: This is a deep cooking pot with a long handle that’s used for heating and preparing ingredients on the stovetop.

Spoon: This is a kitchen utensil with a rounded bowl and long handle that’s used for mixing ingredients.

Bar Spoon: This is a long-handled spoon with a twisted shaft that’s used for stirring cocktails, layering ingredients, and reaching the bottom of tall glasses and mixing vessels.

Irish Coffee Mug: This is a heat-resistant glass mug with a sturdy handle and footed base that’s used for serving warm cocktails and coffee drinks.

Tools I Used

• 🔗 A Bar Above 18×12 Premium Bar Mat
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Japanese Jigger
• 🔗 OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Cutting Board Set
• 🔗 OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife
• 🔗 BLACK+DECKER 32 oz Electric Citrus Juicer
• 🔗 Barfly Silver Stainless Steel Fine Mesh Cocktail Strainer
• 🔗 OXO Good Grips 2 Cup Angled Measuring Cup
• 🔗 All-Clad 3-Ply Stainless Steel 3 Quart Sauce Pan
• 🔗 OXO Good Grips Silicone Spoon
• 🔗 Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon
• 🔗 Libbey Cavana Tall Mug

Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

• Appearance: Dark brown color

• Aroma: Fragrant herbs and spices

• Taste: Warm, honey-sweet taste complemented by slightly peaty whisky, tea, and spices

• Finish: Mild Scotch-tinged and Earl Grey notes

Kendall’s Take: “Warm tea drinks really hit the spot in the dead of winter, and this one’s no exception. Although I think I’d like the Do Not Go Gentle In That Good Night even better without a different base spirit given I’m not the biggest fan of Scotch, the herbal and spiced ingredients did do a good job of toning down its peated flavor and really let the taste shine through. I wouldn’t call this a favorite for my own palate, but it was still quite good.”

Recipe

This cocktail recipe was adapted from Winter Drinks: 70 Essential Cold-Weather Cocktails by the editors of PUNCH.