The Bourbon & Berries Cocktail: A Seasonal Take on the Old Fashioned

Bourbon, traditionally seen as a spirit for colder months, finds its summer soulmate in strawberries, transforming it into a year-round delight. The Bourbon & Berries Cocktail, a creation that emerged from the innovative minds at San Diego’s Herb & Wood, exemplifies this seasonal transition.

The Birth of Bourbon & Berries

The cocktail was initially crafted by Willem Van Leuven and later adapted by Emily Carroll, bar leads at Herb & Wood. The key to its unique flavor is the strawberry-vanilla syrup, a collaborative creation with executive pastry chef Adrian Mendoza. This syrup is part of a series that includes other seasonal flavors like cranberry-cinnamon and blackberry-cinnamon, showcasing the versatility of fruit syrups in cocktails.

Bourbon & Berries Cocktail Recipe

Embrace the summer vibes with the Bourbon & Berries Cocktail, a refreshing twist on the classic Old Fashioned. This delightful concoction, originally from San Diego’s Herb & Wood, combines the warmth of bourbon with the sweetness of strawberries, creating a perfect balance for any season. The strawberry-vanilla syrup adds a unique, fruity dimension, making this cocktail a versatile choice for bourbon lovers. This article explores the creation, variations, and the art of making the perfect Bourbon & Berries Cocktail, ensuring a delightful sip every time.

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Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Ingredients - What's in it?

▢ 2 ounces Bourbon Whiskey
▢ 1 tbs strawberry-vanilla syrup*
▢ 3 dashes Bitters

Garnish:

▢ orange twist

Adjust Servings 1 serving

Instructions - How to make it:

Add the bourbon, strawberry-vanilla syrup, and Angostura bitters to a double rocks glass filled with one large ice cube. Stir for 18 to 20 seconds.
Add a few more ice cubes.
Express the oil of an orange peel over the glass, then drop the peel in.

*Strawberry-vanilla syrup:

Combine 1 cup water, 1 cup granulated sugar, and the seeds from 1 vanilla bean in a saucepan. Simmer until sugar dissolves. Add 2 cups sliced strawberries, simmer for 15 minutes, mash, cool, and strain.

Nutrition

Course Beverage, Cocktail, Drinks

Cuisine Beverage, Cocktail, Drinks

Keyword Beverage, Cocktail, Drink

Flexibility and Seasonal Adaptations

What sets the Bourbon & Berries Cocktail apart is its adaptability. The strawberry-vanilla syrup, while perfect for this cocktail, can also be used in other drinks like Daiquiris or Margaritas, adding a fruity twist. The recipe itself is open to experimentation with different fruits and spirits. For instance, substituting bourbon with rum or rye whiskey can offer a whole new flavor profile, making it a fun and versatile cocktail for any season.

Approach and Tips:

Approach: The Bourbon & Berries Cocktail is about balancing the robustness of bourbon with the sweet, summery flavor of strawberries, enhanced by the subtle notes of vanilla.
Tips:
- Quality Bourbon: Choose a bourbon that complements the sweetness of the strawberry-vanilla syrup without overpowering it.
- Syrup Variations: Feel free to experiment with different fruits for the syrup, depending on the season. Apples and pears in fall or other berries in summer can offer delightful variations.
- Spirit Flexibility: Don’t hesitate to swap bourbon with other spirits like rum or rye whiskey to explore different flavor combinations.