I haven’t been inspired much lately to
make specialty cocktails. Simple classic cocktails like the tried and true
vodka soda have been my drink of choice.
I had a friend visiting from the States last week and she graciously arrived with a hostess gift, a fabulous book on vintage cocktails! My new Vintage Cocktails book has
re-inspired me to go beyond the classics to vintage cocktails, which the book
by Brian Van Flandern defines as drinks that “conjure images of specific places
in time when a particular cocktail gained global popularity. “
Since I’ve
got a big bushel of mint overgrowing in my herb garden, mint drinks are up to
bat first, the Whiskey Smash.
Also, simple syrup
and lemons are in almost every cocktail so if you’re making cocktails be sure
to have both on hand.
Whiskey Smash
- Created
for Bemelmans Bar by Dale DeGroft
2oz. Bulleit
Bourbon or any Whiskey you choose
1oz. Fresh
Lemon Juice
1oz. Simple
Syrup
Handful of Fresh Mint
1. Add
ingredients into a shaker with mint leaves and muddle until leaves are deeply
bruised.
2. Strain out leaves, add ice and shake vigorously.
3. Strain into an ice-filled rocks class, garnish with lemon
wedge or mint sprig.
The finished product below. Cocktail snobs, don't kill me for using a stemless wine glass!
Notes: Bottled lemon juice is okay, but fresh is always best. Try a flavored simple syrup to give the drink a different twist. Keep it to a mild flavor, such as rosemary infused simple syrup (I used vanilla bean), so the flavors blend together nicely instead of competing with each other.
