Cocktail Friday: Bourbon Thyme

This bourbon thyme cocktail recipe is my new favorite. I have not always been a bourbon person. To be honest, I think my love for bourbon came after I became a parent. Coincidence? You decide. Seriously though, I have probably come to appreciate  bourbon more in the past year through experimenting with various recipes (Brown Butter Old Fashioned or Bourbon Apple Cider anyone?) that have proven that bourbon is more versatile than I expected. Given my new love, I was thrilled to receive a bottle of Elk Rider Bourbon from Heritage Distilling in Gig Harbor, Washington. Any day that involved a bourbon delivery to your front door is a good day. Am I right?

When I try new spirits, I like to first sample them on their own or mixed into simple, familiar cocktails. For example, when testing a new gin, I like to make a classic gin and tonic. I think that cocktail can tell a lot about the quality of the gin because it is vulnerable. In the correct amounts, tonic water and lime juice cannot cover up the herb notes in gin. If they do, something is wrong with either the gin or the proportions. But I digress. Back to bourbon...

I tasted Elk Rider Bourbon straight without ice to start. I was struck immediately by the smooth, sweet taste because I am often a little shocked at my first sip of any spirit straight up. Next, I added a tiny splash of water which can help the flavors bloom a bit. It was lovely. Drinkable with just the right amount of alcoholy bite and sweet nuttiness.

Once I had a good feel for the flavor of the bourbon, I started brainstorming what I could mix with it to make a refreshing spring cocktail. As with many of the recipes I develop, I found my inspiration by simply walking around the grocery store. After grabbing two bags of Meyer lemons and some beautiful fresh thyme, I knew exactly what I wanted: a bourbon spiked Meyer lemonade. Yes and yes.

Feeling inspired by the pleasant flavor of the bourbon and the Elk Rider story (which I've included below because I think it's great) I came home to mix up this delicious, spring-weekend-worthy cocktail. It's perfect for bourbon lovers who are looking for a way to extend the season for this spirit into warmer months. If you're not a bourbon fan, this will work beautifully with vodka or gin as well.

Here's a little bit about the inspiration behind the Elk Rider series from Heritage Distilling:

"The idea and inspiration for the Elk Rider™ line of spirits comes from our female founder. Her ancestors were some of the first settlers in the Lake Quinault and Queets River area in the late 1800′s in what is now the heart of Olympic National Park. While homesteading with a family of 17 children these early pioneering family members broke and tamed wild elk. Their feats were legendary for miles around. The elk became so popular they started to be used in parades in southwest Washington and Portland. The best part is we still have the family glass negatives to prove it."

"Every Spirit Has a Story," What's Yours? 

*Full disclosure: I was given products from Heritage Distilling to use for Set the Table cocktail recipes. My opinions are 100% my own.

Bourbon Thyme

Ingredients

• 2 oz Elk Rider Bourbon
• 2 oz Meyer lemon juice
• 2 oz water
• 1 oz honey-thyme simple syrup
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup water
• 5 or 6 thyme sprigs

Instructions

1. Fill a cocktail glass with crushed ice.
2. Combine the bourbon, lemon juice, water, and honey-thyme simple syrup in a shaker filled with ice.
3. Stir until thoroughly combined.
4. Strain into prepared cocktail glass, garnish with a thyme sprig, and serve.
5. Combine the honey and water in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer.
6. Add the thyme sprigs and simmer on low heat for 5 minutes.
7. Remove from the heat and let cool.
8. Remove the thyme sprigs and pour into a jar. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

If you can't find Meyer lemons, you can use regular lemons. The result will be a bit more tart but still delicious!

Cocktail Friday: Negroni + Meyer Lemon Twist

Brad and I went skiing with some good friends last weekend. We spent all day Saturday with snow flakes falling on our faces and, at least in my case, saying prayers of thanks that I didn't break a leg as a result of my very limited experience on skis. When the day was over, all I wanted to do was sip on a cocktail while cooking a warm, soothing soup in my cozy kitchen. There is something about ending an active day cooking something delicious that can't be beat.

One of the things I love about cooking is that you can make seemingly small changes that make a recipe new and fresh. Adding coconut milk to what would otherwise be a classic butternut squash soup, for example. That's the fun part- taking something classic and making it your own.

Classic cocktails are another perfect place to add little touches that reflect the seasons or showcase your favorite garnishes and ingredients. Another perk of going with the classics is that you can learn a lot about mixing good drinks. The Negroni, for example, demonstrates how delicious Campari can be when the bitter flavor is balanced properly. Gin and vermouth are used to both highlight the bitterness and mellow it out. The finishing touch, typically a twist of orange, completes the cocktail with a bright citrus scent that you catch just as your mouth touches the rim of the glass but before the liquid passes through your lips. Perfection.

The only change I made here is the garnish. Rather than going with the traditional orange twist I opted for Meyer lemon. Consider this my trademark when it comes to the classic Negroni. At some point this weekend I will be sipping on one of these and hopefully cooking up something delicious. Cheers, friends!

Negroni + Meyer Lemon Twist

Ingredients

• 2 oz Campari
• 2 oz Gin
• 2 oz Dry Vermouth
• 2 strips Meyer lemon zest (or orange zest)

Instructions

1. Combine the campari, gin and vermouth in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Cover and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds.
3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with the strip of zest.

Cocktail Friday: Meyer Lemon + Vanilla Gimlet

About 10 years ago, I used to think that a Lemon Drop Martini was the height of sophistication when it came to cocktails. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with the cocktail itself. When done well, it can be quite tasty. However, they tend to be heavy laden with sugar and artificial lemon flavor/color. Yuck. This cocktail, made with Meyer lemons, vanilla, and a flavorful simple syrup is a classier, more complex cocktail that I would be proud to serve to the rest of my grown-up friends. I went the gimlet route, using equal parts gin and a combination of Meyer lemon juice and simple syrup. (A traditional gimlet uses gin or vodka and Rose's lime juice, which is crazy sweet.) Then, on a whim, I added just a touch of vanilla extract. That last addition took this cocktail from good to great and made it perfect to serve as a holiday party aperitif.

Citrus cocktails are actually very appropriate for winter. Lemons are in season in these chilly months, so featuring them in recipes this time of year is a must!

TGIF everyone. I hope you have a weekend full of fun and love and laughter. And perhaps a Meyer Lemon and Vanilla Gimlet on the side.

Meyer Lemon & Vanilla Gimlet

Ingredients

• 2 oz gin (My favorite is Prairie Gin for this cocktail, but whatever you have will be fine. You could also use vodka)
• 1 1/2 oz Meyer lemon juice
• 1/2 oz Meyer lemon simple syrup
• 2 or 3 drops of vanilla extract
• zest of 1 Meyer lemon
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup sugar

Instructions

1. Combine the gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and vanilla extract in a shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake for about 30 seconds until thoroughly chilled and pour into a cocktail glass.
3. Garnish with a slice of lemon if desired.
4. Combine the zest, water and sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer, stirring until the sugar has dissolved.
5. Let the syrup come to room temperature before using or storing in the refrigerator.