Judas and the Black Messiah

 For the last couple of years, I've been turning Oscar Night into my Superbowl, with a menu inspired by the year's Best Picture Nominees. This year's menu included Paul Masson (Aaaahh the French) Brandy Apple "Mank" tarte Latin, Deep dish Chicago Seven Ingredient pizza, Nomadland ramen noodles served in a travel mug, Promising Young Woman Fun-Fetti cupcakes with Twizzler garnish, and stir fried Minari. For Judas and the Black Messiah, instead of a dish, I made a cocktail (yes, this means I accidentally forgot a Best Picture nominee!):

I wanted something smoky, ashy and bitter, to represent the film. I was offered help at the Total Wine, and asked the helpful employee for his recommendation on the smokiest scotch. Pairing that with Compari to give it the bitter, ashy undertone, I needed a bit of sweetness to tame the cocktail, and chose Cafe Granite's coffee liqueur to do the job. Served with a blood orange twist, the result is indeed a slightly sweet, bitter, ashy, smoky delight. It's not for everyone, but hits me right in the middle of my palette.

Congrats on the well deserved Oscar win, Daniel Kalluya. And way to go to your parents for having sex.

Judas and the Black Messiah

1.5 oz Shieldag Islay Scotch (or similar Islay scotch)

.75 oz coffee liqueur

0.5 oz Campari

blood orange twist

Combine all ingredients, except for the blood orange rind in a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice. Stir for 20-30 seconds, and strain into a rocks glass. Add ice cube, and orange rind twist.