Those clever folk at Jack Daniel’s sure know what Fridays are all about. Celebrating the good stuff. Hence the reason why on the first Friday of the month each member of staff at the distillery is gifted with a bottle of Jack Daniel’s. It’s a nice touch, very much appreciated by everyone who works there particularly as Lynchburg, Tennessee where the distillery is located is a ‘dry’ county. Imagine it, being responsible for the making of the world’s best selling American whiskey but not being able to buy it in stores or consume it in restaurants. But receiving it as a gift from your employer? That’s a different story… No wonder the first Friday of month down at the distillery is known as good Friday.
And that good old southern hospitality gets extended during September with a whole lotta celebrations taking place around the country. Fancy a little #JackFriday in your life? Of course you do. We’ve just waved goodbye to the last Bank Holiday of the year (and a wet one at that) so we all need something to cheer us up.
Make it your business to get involved in one of the #JackFriday initiatives taking place around the country throughout September. In true Jack style, great drinks are a given. So too is good music. Indeed, over the next four weeks the two make the perfect mix in select venues around the country.
Get yourself down to the following.
The Blackbird
37-39 Leven Street, Edinburgh EH3 9LH. theblackbirdedinburgh.co.uk
Check out the deliciously fruity libations on offer at the ‘Jack Shack’ located outside the cocktail bar @TBBjackshack. Take your pick from the luscious Charred Peach Swizzle (Jack Daniel’s, charred peach shrub, freshly-squeezed lemon juice and soda); seriously good Mango Old Fashioned (fresh mango infused Jack Daniel’s and Peychaud Bitters), and the sunshine flavoured Pineapple & Mint Julep (Jack Daniel’s, peppermint fine sugar, freshly-squeezed lemon and pineapple juice). And don’t worry if fruit’s not your thing, good old Jack & cola is on offer too.
Black Dog Ballroom
Basement Affleck’s Palace, Afflecks, Church Street, Manchester M4 1PW. blackdogballroom.co.uk
There’s one cocktail on the list here and it’s a good ‘un, something that will appeal to Jack fans and newbies alike. Let the stresses of the week ease away as you sip on a Tennessee Highball, their tasty riff on a Singapore Sling (Jack Daniel’s, apricot liqueur, freshly-squeezed lemon juice, topped with ginger ale, finished with a dash each of Angostura bitters and orange bitters, garnished with an orange wedge and a cherry).
Record Factory
17 Byres Road, Glasgow G11 5RD. recordfactory.co.uk
There’s sugar, some spice and all things nice on the special #JackFriday menu here. Try The Velvet Elvis (Jack Daniel’s, Triple Sec, Chambord, freshly squeezed lemon juice, sugar), Cherry & Apricot Manhattan (Jack Daniel’s, cherry brandy, apricot brandy, dry and sweet vermouth), or go for the simple but oh-so stunning Tennessee Honeytrap (Jack Daniel’s Honey stirred down with orgeat).
Rub Smokehouse & Bar
Regency Wharf, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2DS. rubsmokehouse.com
Take your tastebuds on journey of liquid adventure starting in Tennessee with the Lynchburg Lemon Drop (a refreshing and citrusy mix of Jack Daniel’s, Triple Sec, freshly-squeezed lemon juice, vanilla syrup and Peychaud Bitters, served with a liberal dusting of zingy sherbet on the rim); on to Vegas with The Vino Las Vegas, the Rub twist on a Sangria (Jack Daniel’s, Cabernet Sauvignon, grenadine, lemon and orange juice, a hint of cardamom bitters and a splash of soda water to finish), lastly stopping off in the East for the witty named Forget It Jack, It’s Chinatown! (an exotic blend of Jack Daniel’s, lemongrass and ginger cordial, freshly-squeezed lemon juice, pear syrup, ginger ale and a dash of Chinese Five Spice bitters). Served with a fortune, of course.
Venn Street Records
78 Venn Street, London SW4 0BD. vennstreetrecords.com
We’re loving the two autumnal choices on the menu here. Choose from the cherry-tastic Black Daniels, bursting with flavour (Jack Daniel’s mixed with cherry syrup, a dash of cherry bitters, and topped with cola), or the deliciously rich and indulgent Tennessee Vanilla Flip (a healthy slug of Jack Daniel’s – their words, not ours, nutmeg, vanilla syrup, egg and chocolate bitters) – so good you won’t mind that summer is pretty much over.
And if you can’t be at any of the celebrations, you can still be part of the generous #JackFriday spirit. Sign up at jackfriday.co.uk for your chance to win anything from T-shirts and hip flasks to a guitar – you could even bag the top prize of a trip for two to Tennessee. Get involved people!
Keep up to date with #JackFriday at jackfriday.co.uk – don’t start your weekend without it.
