The holidays are here! It’s that time for hosting friends and family at home and it’s always good to have some good cocktail recipes on hand for an evening in. Whiskey has been making a comeback for the past five years or more. I can go to just about any cocktail bar or restaurant in my neighborhood and find at least one whiskey cocktail on the menu. Manhattans, Sazeracs, and Old Fashioneds are pretty popular these days. I remember ordering a perfect Manhattan a few years ago and really enjoying it and have been a big fan of whiskey cocktails since. Whiskey cocktails are easy to make at home and my house guests really enjoy them. My favorite whiskey cocktail to make at home is the Elderflower Old Fashioned. This is a fun new twist on the classic Old Fashioned cocktail. It calls for Elderflower liqueur as the sweetener instead of sugar cubes.
Elderflowers are beautiful white flowers with a lovely fragrance and unique flavor and are used to make Elderflower liqueur such as St. Germain. St. Germain goes really well with either bourbon or rye whiskey. You can use either bourbon or rye for this recipe – whichever you prefer or have on hand. This is a cocktail that is meant to be sipped slowly. It’s perfect for after dinner, especially if you’re in the mood for something sweet and boozy instead of dessert. I recommend using Luxardo brand Maraschino cherries as they taste the best and have a natural color. You can use a peeler or a small paring knife to make your orange peel garnishes. It’s a warming drink and is an especially nice treat on cold winter nights. If you prefer it less sweet, you can add 1/2 oz of St. Germain instead of 1 oz. I’m also a big fan of interesting ice for cocktails. I love large ice cubes and have an ice maker that makes fancy, clear ice spheres (Glacio Clear Sphere Duo). Large ice cubes and ice spheres melt slowly and look pretty, so they’re ideal for this drink. If you make an Elderflower Old Fashioned, make sure to take a post a picture on Instagram and Facebook and tag @thefriendlyepicurean or Pin this recipe on Pinterest. Cheers and Happy Holidays!
Elderflower Old Fashioned
Ingredients
- 2 oz whiskey (rye or bourbon)
- 1 oz St. Germain (or other elderflower liqueur)
- 2 drops of Angostura bitters
- 1 large ice cube
- Maraschino cherries for garnish
- Orange peel for garnish
Directions
Stir all ingredients together in an Old Fashioned glass, add ice cube, and let rest for about 1-2 minutes. Rub orange zest around rim of glass and serve with orange zest and Maraschino cherry.
glacio Clear Sphere Duo | Crystal Clear Ice Ball Maker
Adapted from Saveur: https://www.saveur.com/article/recipes/elderflower-old-fashioned
This is interesting !