Area bars gear up for ‘Anchorman 2’ with drinks and events inspired by the much-anticipated sequel.
By Kelly A. Magyarics
The Perfect Ron Roy is one of several “Anchorman”-inspired drinks at The Daily Dish. (Courtesy photo)
Anyone who’s seen the movie knows the answer to the above question…Scotch, and lots of it. In the immortal words of the legendary Channel 6 anchorman played by Will Ferrell, “I love Scotch. Scotchy, Scotch, Scotch. Here it goes down, down into my belly.” The long-awaited sequel to the original, which was released way back in 2004, opens in theaters December 18, and Washington bars are getting into the spirit with Ron Burgundy-approved drink promotions and special events.
The Daily Dish in Silver Spring is offering the following Scotch cocktails for $11.50 each, from now until December 31. Pop in to try one, or queue up the first “Anchorman” on Netflix and stir up a batch:
Perfect Ron Roy
Ron Burgundy isn’t shy about his love of whiskey from across the pond. This Rob Roy riff is perfect for him…and the name also serves as a reference for his perfectly coiffed hair.
2 oz. Scotch
½ oz. Sweet Vermouth (Dolin or another high-quality brand)
½ oz. Dry Vermouth (Dolin or another high-quality brand)
2 Dashes cherry bitters
Cherry, for garnish
Combine all except garnish in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and stir until chilled. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and add garnish.
Rich Mahogany
This cocktail references a quote from Ron: “I’m very important. I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany.”
2 oz. Macallan Single Malt Scotch
1 tsp. Brown sugar
1 tbsp. Dried cranberries
1 Apple slice, diced
Juice from ½ lemon
Ginger ale
Muddle the brown sugar, dried cranberries and diced apple with lemon juice. Add Scotch and ice and shake until chilled. Pour into a rocks glass with fresh ice and top with ginger ale.
Anchorwoman
In the films, actress Christina Applegate holds her own against Will Ferrell, playing anchorman Veronica Corningstone. Girl power!
2 oz. Dewars Blended Scotch
1 ½ oz. Apple Schnapps
Juice from ½ lemon
Dash Angostura Bitters
Thin slice of Granny Smith apple, for garnish
Combine all except garnish in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake until chilled. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with the apple slice.
Staying Classy
Ron Burgundy’s sign off, (“Stay classy, San Diego”) is another name for the classic Blood & Sand cocktail.
1 oz. Dewars Blended Scotch
1 oz. Sweet Vermouth (Dolin or another high-quality brand)
1 oz. Cherry Heering Liqueur
1 oz. Fresh orange juice
Dash of Bitter Truth Orange Bitters
Orange wheel, for garnish
Combine all except garnish in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake until chilled. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with the orange wheel.
The Jazz Flute
Another movie reference, this drink’s name references a quote from character Veronica Corningstone, who irreverently declares “jazz flute is for little fairy boys.”
½ oz. Macallan Single Malt Scotch
¼ oz. Cointreau
Champagne
Lemon peel twirl
Add Scotch and Cointreau to a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake until chilled. Strain into a chilled Champagne flute, top with Champagne and garnish with the lemon peel.
Jack Rose Dining Saloon is featuring specialty cocktails, Scotch flights and beers on December 16. (Courtesy photo)
In honor of the film’s release, Jack Rose Dining Saloon is hosting a Scotch-centric evening of cocktails, flights and aged beers, Ron Burgundy costumes and an “Anchorman” screening on the glass-enclosed rooftop. On December 16, the whiskey den is serving cleverly named Scotch cocktails for $10 each. The “Sex Panther” combines Ardbeg 10 Year Single Malt Scotch, Mexican Fernet, Amaro Montenegro and tarragon syrup. “(A Glass of) Emotion” mixes Laphraoig Quarter Cask Scotch, Famous Grouse Scotch, Dolin Rouge Vermouth, Drambuie and brandy. “Stay Classy D.C.” mingles Black Bottle Scotch, Cherry Heering, Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth and orange juice. The “Afternoon Delight” is a riff on the Hot Toddy, with Scotch, lemon, allspice liqueur, honey, black chai tea and a cinnamon-dusted lemon wheel.
Specialty-themed flights allow Scotch aficionados to sip their way through the category, like the Islay-focused “Scotchy Scotch Scotch” flight with Laphraoig, Chieftain’s 14 Year, Kilchoman Machir Bay and Bruichladdich Peat; and the Speyside-focused “Leather-Bound Books & Rich Mahogany” with Glenrothes Signatory Vintage 12 Year, Craigellachie Signatory Vintage 13 Year and Glen Keith Signatory Vintage 15 Year. Scotch flights are $20 that evening.
Beer director Nahem Simon has selected two Scotch-barrel-aged beers that are both part of the Hoften Dormaal barrel-aged series, each $10.
Guests are encouraged to dress up like their favorite “Anchorman” character. Those in costume receive $2 off themed cocktails all night. The original movie will also be shown on three TV screens. There is no admission fee. For more info, call 202-588-7388, or visit their website.
Kelly Magyarics is a wine and spirits writer, and wine educator, in the Washington, D.C. area. She can be reached through her website, www.kellymagyarics.com , or on Twitter and Instagram @kmagyarics.
