May 2022 – Root Beer Old Fashioned

I tripped into a childhood flashback as an adult on, of all things, a wine trip to Napa. I choose this drink to kick-off “The Perfect Drink” due to its perfection, that for me, when I want that one drink at night, it definitely hits the spot. Whether on a cool night in Florida on the Lenai or a blistery winter day in Michigan by the fireplace, it works year-round. If you like a perfect Old Fashioned with a root beer twist this drink is for you. The version I found in Napa inspired me to experiment with ingredients, and proportions until I landed on the perfect recipe that I can make simply but also accurately each and every time.

Ingredients:

• BitterCube Blackstrap Bitters
• Woodford Reserve Bourbon (or your favorite)
• Orange
• Copper and Kings Cocktail Cherries (or Luxardo)
• Torani’s Root beer syrup

Tools:

• Muddler
• Oxo two-sided shot glass/jigger
• Bottom of Cocktail Shaker
• Ice Cube Form (large single cube)
• Double Rocks Glass
• Oxo cocktail strainer
• Oxo basket strainer
• Stir Sticks
• Stainless steel cocktail picks

Directions:

1. First make sure the night before you make large square or round ice cubes for the drink.
2. In the bottom of your double rocks glass add three dashes of bitters and then place ice cube in glass.
3. Then in the bottom of the cocktail shaker place the following amount of each ingredient:
   • 1/2 orange slice (half-moon about 1/8 inch thick)
   • 1 cherry
   • 1/4 tsp cherry juice
   • 1/2 oz of root beer syrup (oxo jigger is marked – 1/2 oz line small side)
   • 4.5 oz of Bourbon (3 large shots – large side 1.5 oz)
4. Once all ingredients added, muddle the heck out of it (smash and grind) to the point the orange and cherry are pulverized
5. Then use the strainer and pour liquid contents of shaker into glass through the strainer over the ice.
   • I have a tendency to also use the muddler to squeeze out the last remaining juices out of the strainer.
6. Once drink in glass stir vigorously for 30 seconds garnish with cherry and orange peel (see-picture – if so inclined) and enjoy!!!

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The items shown above are just suggestions/examples and each consumer should do their own research and choose the proper product that suits their needs the best.