This elderflower old fashioned cocktail is smooth, sweet, and floral with a a hint of spicy bitterness.
I’m kind of embarrassed to say that I had never tried an old fashioned before. I mean how can I call myself a cocktail blogger and former bartender and I never made or tried one of the oldest, most common drinks there is. One of the reasons is that the drink never sounded appealing to me. Even though bourbon and I had a really big thing going on a few years ago, I never thought I would like something with bitters in it. But I was wrong. Also, at the place I used to bartend, we didn’t even have bitters on stock. It was mostly a beer and a shot kind of bar with the occasional weekend crowd that would order martini’s or even a manhattan.
This elderflower old fashioned surprised me on how tasty it is. The elderflower gives it a more complex flavor and this cocktail is a great sipping drink. Perfect for spring with it’s slightly floral notes.
Recipe
An old fashioned consists of bourbon, bitters, simple syrup (or a sugar cube), and sometimes water, This is where I added the elderflower liqueur instead. You can mix everything in a shaker with ice or you can add the ingredients straight into a rocks glass with ice and stir gently. The typical garnish is an orange peel and a maraschino cherry.
Elderflower old fashioned
2 ounces bourbon
1 ounce elderflower liqueur
1 ounce simple syrup
2-3 dashes bitters
orange peel twist and maraschino cherry for garnish (optional but recommended)
In a shaker with ice combine bourbon, elderflower liqueur, simple syrup and bitters, Shake and strain into a rocks glass with ice. Garnish with an orange peel twist and a maraschino cherry.
Simple syrup- combine 1/2 cup of water and a 1/2 cup of sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Bring to a simmer and let simmer for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
To health, wealth, and happiness! Cheers!