While countless artists have taken to recording their own renditions of this classic folk tune, only one has taken it as his namesake: Burl Ives, the prominent actor, banjoist, and, above all, folk and country singer. It was often you’d see the man with a pipe in his mouth, so we created a cocktail that evokes something similarly smokey (Scotch), rich (vermouth), and just a touch sweet (honey), with added complexity from the absinthe. A mournful spiritual calls for a more serious cocktail, and the Wayfaring Stranger is just that.
INGREDIENTS
2 oz Scotch (preferably something peaty like Laphroiag)
1 bar spoon honey
2 bar spoons sweet vermouth
2 dashes absinthe
DIRECTIONS
Add ingredients to rocks glass with ice and stir to combine. Garnish with lemon twist.
