-

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.

The Bourbon & Berries Cocktail
4.47 from 15 votes
Calories: 200kcal
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
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.

Ingredients

Garnish:

  • orange twist

Instructions

  • 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.

Estimated Nutrition:

Calories: 200kcal (10%)Carbohydrates: 16g (5%)Sodium: 12mg (1%)Potassium: 14mgSugar: 15g (17%)Calcium: 3mgIron: 1mg (6%)
CourseBeverage, Cocktail, Drinks
CuisineBeverage, Cocktail, Drinks
KeywordBeverage Recipe, Cocktail Recipe, Drink Recipe

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.
Wisconsin Old Fashioned

Savor the unique Midwestern twist on a classic with the Wisconsin Old Fashioned, where brandy

Expense of Honesty Cocktail

Discover the Expense of Honesty cocktail, a unique blend of rum and bourbon, sweetened with

Normandie Old Fashioned

Experience the Normandie Old Fashioned: a unique blend of coconut-infused bourbon and apple brandy, offering

Whiskey Sour Old Fashioned

Experience the best of both worlds with the Whiskey Sour Old Fashioned, where tart meets

Zapatero Cocktail

Explore the Zapatero, a unique cocktail blending mezcal's smokiness with bourbon's richness, perfected with orgeat

The Forefathers Cocktail

Savor the South with the Forefathers Cocktail, a sweet tea-infused Old Fashioned with a hint

Bourbon Toscano Cocktail

Explore the smoky sophistication of the Bourbon Toscano, a unique Old Fashioned with cherrywood-smoked ice,

Exploring the World of the Old Fashioned – Variations of a Classic Cocktail

Discover the art of the Old Fashioned with this guide to its many variations, from