Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night Cocktail Recipe
Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night Cocktail Recipe

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 black tea leaves and bergamot oil. I used Twinings Earl Grey Black Tea.

Peaty Islay Scotch: This is a type of of Scotch whisky made in southern Scotland with with spices, alcohol, water, and malt or grain that has been dried with peat fires. I used Ardbeg 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Honey Syrup: This is a sweetener made with honey and water. I used this stovetop recipe.

Allspice Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with allspice berries, spices, sugar, rum, and water. I used St. Elizabeth’s Allspice Dram.

Lemon Juice: This is the tart, acidic liquid extracted from the flesh of lemons. I used fresh lemon juice.

Star Anise: This is a star-shaped spice derived from the fruit of an evergreen tree. I used 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 to catch spills, provide grip for glasses and tools, and keep the workspace clean and organized. I used the Highball & Chaser 18×12 Bar Mat.

Jigger: This is a small, double-sided measuring tool that’s used to accurately portion spirits and mixers, typically with one side measuring 1 oz and the other 1.5 or 2 oz. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.

Saucepan: This is a deep cooking pot with a long handle and lid that’s used for simmering, boiling, and cooking on the stovetop. I used the All-Clad 3-Ply Stainless Steel 3 Quart Sauce Pan.

Paring Knife: This is a small, sharp kitchen knife with a narrow blade that’s used for peeling, trimming, and garnishing. I used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.

Juicer: This is a handheld tool that’s used to extract juice from fruits by pressing or twisting it against a reamer or cone. I used the Black+Decker 32 oz Electric Citrus Juicer.

Bar Spoon: This is a long-handled spoon with a twisted shaft that’s used for stirring, layering, and reaching the bottom of tall cocktail glasses. I used the Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon.

Irish Coffee Mug: This is a heat-resistant glass mug with a sturdy handle and footed base that’s used to serve warm drinks. I used the Pasabahce Vela Tall Glass Coffee Mug.

OXO SteeL Double Jigger
OXO SteeL Double Jigger
Two sided – flip for different measurements; Soft, non-slip grip for comfortable pouring; Permanent laser-etched measurements won’t wear off
$11.99 Amazon Prime
OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Pairing Knife,Black/Silver,3-1/2-Inch
OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Pairing Knife,Black/Silver,3-1/2-Inch
Sturdy, stainless steel blade; Soft, comfortable, non-slip handle ensures a safe grip; Hand wash with warm, soapy water and promptly dry
$11.99 Amazon Prime
BLACK+DECKER 32oz Electric Citrus Juicer, CJ625, Pressure Activated, Adjustable Pulp Control, Dishwasher-Safe
BLACK+DECKER 32oz Electric Citrus Juicer, CJ625, Pressure Activated, Adjustable Pulp Control, Dishwasher-Safe
Auto-reversing juicing cones provide maximum juice extraction; Drip-Free Pour Spout – The container doubles as a pitcher, complete with handle and spout
$26.99 Amazon Prime
Libbey Cavana Tall Mug, 16.4-ounce, Set of 4
Libbey Cavana Tall Mug, 16.4-ounce, Set of 4
Includes 4, 16.4-ounce glass coffee mugs (6-inch height by 3.5-inch diameter); Classic tapered shape complements your tabletop
$34.99 Amazon Prime
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Libbey Irish Coffee Mug, 1 Count , Clear
Libbey Irish Coffee Mug, 1 Count , Clear
0ne, 8.5 Oz clear glass irish coffee mug
$20.04 Amazon Prime

This post contains affiliate links, meaning we make a small commission each time you purchase a product using our links. Product images sourced from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon affiliate links last updated on 2025-02-09.

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night Cocktail Recipe

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 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

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.

Sale
Winter Drinks: 70 Essential Cold-Weather Cocktails
Winter Drinks: 70 Essential Cold-Weather Cocktails
Hardcover Book; Editors of PUNCH (Author); English (Publication Language); 160 Pages – 10/02/2018 (Publication Date) – Ten Speed Press (Publisher)
$10.56 Amazon Prime

This post contains affiliate links, meaning we make a small commission each time you purchase a product using our links. Product images sourced from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon affiliate links last updated on 2025-02-09.

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night

The Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night is a modern cocktail that was created by Chantal Tseng in Washington, D.C. The recipe uses the Hot Toddy template but calls for bergamot-flavored Earl Grey tea as the base instead of water and adds a smoky Scotch whisky that is balanced by honey syrup, allspice dram, and lemon.

Prep Time 3 mins Assembly Time 7 mins Total Time 10 mins Difficulty: Intermediate Servings: 1 Calories: 155 Best Season: Winter

Ingredients

Method

  1. Place tea bag in a mug.

  2. Bring a small pot of water to a rolling boil.

  3. Pour 4 fl oz boiling water into mug over tea bag.

  4. Steep for 3-5 minutes, then remove tea bag.

  5. Add whisky, honey syrup, allspice liqueur, and lemon juice.

  6. Stir for 5-10 seconds.

  7. Garnish with star anise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand All:
How do I make this cocktail recipe non-alcoholic?

Use Escape Mocktails Green Label Single Malt Whiskey Non-Alcoholic Alternative in place of the whisky and homemade allspice Demerara syrup in place of the allspice liqueur to try a mocktail version of this drink.

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About The Author

Kendall is the creator of Novel Nightcaps, a mixology blog chronicling recipes she tries from her cocktail book collection.