bourbonismyspinach

I usually try to stay away from Maker’s Mark because there is such a selection of better quality, dryer bourbons at the same price point, also calling out Maker’s is just calling out a name that has been marketed to you in such a way that it sticks in your head. For this occasion I chose Makers though, as it happened to be the best fit for the mixings. This is a simple, easy to down, easy to pair cocktail which went over well with both my customers and coworkers:

• 1.5 Maker’s
• .5 Canton
• .25 Cointreau
• .25 fresh lime
• 2 Dashes Regan’s Orange or Fee Brother’s West Indian Orange Bitters
• Twist of orange for oil

Combine liquids over ice in your shaker and shake the hell out of it to get the ice chips floating on top, strain into a chilled coupe glass and burn a spritz of orange oil over the top. Serve.

The heavy shaking is important, without those ice chips on the top of the drink it seems to lack longevity and evolution through the drinking process. A good cocktail in my mind is one that matures between the first sip and the last drop, without changes in the taste, feel, or complexity we might as well just be drinking vodka shots and cheap beer and join a frat.