Cocktail Couture: Summer Citrus Old Fashioned

I once featured this delicious, seasonally-inspired cocktail on a WPTV Father's Day segment but we've enjoyed it so much for so long I felt compelled to give the Summer Citrus Old Fashioned its very own blog post. This recipe is a delightful Summertime spin on a revered classic cocktail and if you love Bourbon, or even if you THINK you don't, I think you'll be pleased with the results.

And yes, even though wine is my main gig, I’ve been known to dabble in Bourbon.

Oodles of delightful, fresh citrus and flavor-infused lemon thyme simple syrup (which is super easy to make!) take the edge off the Bourbon while also beautifully enhancing its flavor. The addition of sparkling water also diffuses its potency slightly, making it more appropriate for Summer sipping. You don't want to miss all the fun at your Summer soirée now, do you?

I also love serving it is a fashionable Mason jar so you can also enjoy the beautiful Summer colors of the citrus, thyme and cherries.

I hope you enjoy the delicious Summer Citrus Old Fashioned as much as we do! To see other installments of Cocktail Couture, please click here. Please enjoy + report back ~ Cheers!

“COCKTAIL COUTURE: SUMMER CITRUS OLD FASHIONED”

Author: Stephanie Miskew | The Glamorous Gourmet

Makes: 3-4 cocktails

Ingredients

For Lemon Thyme Simple Syrup:

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 cup still water

• 6-7 sprigs of fresh lemon thyme (if you can't find lemon thyme regular thyme is fine!)

  For Cocktail:

• 1 cup Four Roses Yellow Label Bourbon

• 2 cups sparkling water

• ¼ cup (or to taste) Lemon Thyme Simple Syrup

• 6-7 dashes Angostura bitters

• 1 orange, zested into 1" wide x 2-3" long strips for garnish, and then sectioned

• 1 grapefruit, sectioned

• Thyme sprigs for garnish

• Cocktail cherries for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. To make the lemon thyme simple syrup, add the still water and sugar to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly to dissolve the sugar.

2. Once sugar is dissolved, remove pan from heat and add the thyme springs. Let steep for about 1 hour. Remove thyme sprigs from the cooled syrup and discard them. Strain the mixture into an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use.

3. To make the cocktail, cut orange and grapefruit sections into bite-sized chunks.

4. Combine the bourbon, bitters, and lemon thyme simple syrup (to taste) in a pitcher. Adjust flavors to taste and then top with sparkling water just before serving.

5. Add ice cubes to serving glasses and divide chopped citrus among them. Add an orange twist and a few thyme sprigs to each glass and then pour prepared cocktail over ice and serve immediately!