beverageCORNER Changing of the Seasons By Alex Hemming, Director of Food and Beverage
Q
uite often, we can be creatures of habit. I have my go to beverages that I enjoy year-round. There is no seasonality for me to enjoy a pale ale, pair a nice cabernet with a steak, or have a classic martini with some hors d’oeuvres with my friends. In the same breath, we can be creatures of habit to change those beverages of choice by what season it is. There is something about a nice brown ale and bowl of chili while I am watching some football in the fall or relaxing by the pool with a refreshing gin and tonic in the summer. For this winter season I know myself well enough to make sure I go to the store and stock up on all the ingredients that make my favorite winter old fashioned. Here I will share with you how I enjoy my bourbon in the winter. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
“In the same breath, we can be creatures of habit to change those beverages of choice by what season it is.”
I tend to stick with the same bourbons for my old fashioned. Generally, I lean right in the middle price point of selection of bourbon. If I am spending some high dollar, I generally drink it neat or with 1 small ice cube. I usually like Woodford Reserve, Knob Creek, Jefferson’s Reserve, or Bulleit (I like the rye whiskey for this recipe as well). I primarily use Luxardo Cherries for this drink. I strain all of the syrup out of the jar and leave the cherries in. Save the syrup as that comes in handy later. I fill the cherry jar with a strong rye whiskey and let it soak for about a week before I use them. This adds another flavor complexity to the cherry for the cocktail.
ALEX’S WINTER OLD FASHIONED INGREDIENTS
METHOD:
Build in a rocks glass and do not muddle ingredients.
Stir this cocktail gently for about 20 circulations
Place 1 large ice cube or sphere in the rocks glass Add 2oz. bourbon of choice 1 dash Angostura Bitters 1 dash Angostura Orange Bitters 1/4 oz. Simple Syrup ¼ oz. Luxardo Cherry Syrup
Peel an orange for a large twist, hold the flame of 1 lit match over the cocktail and pinch the orange twist to that the citrus oil squirts over the fire and into the cocktail. This is called ‘flaming’ and will produce a small flame into the cocktail. Add the orange twist and 1 bourbon-soaked cherry to your cocktail and stir 4 more times. Now Enjoy!
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