Cherry Bourbon Manhattan

Valentine's Day is coming up soon and, for some reason, I always associate it with cherries. Maybe because I've gotten too many chocolate covered cherries as V-Day gifts? That's humor, of course, because there's no such thing as too many chocolate covered cherries. Nevertheless, it's not cherry season yet so I wondered if cherry preserves would make a good substitute in a cocktail.

Bourbon, Apple and Ginger Sour

I was doing a new year's cleaning around here and that included the dreaded refrigerator clear out. Fortunately there was no year-old Chinese food container hiding anywhere but I did get a chance to take stock of all my various cocktail potions. Some older ones had to go but it wasn't that long ago that I made a beautiful ginger syrup and it was just begging to be used again.

The Maple Leaf

If you're not a bourbon drinker or don't have much experience with it, I can tell you that this is the cocktail that made me a fan.  It was on the specialty drinks menu at a great local restaurant a few years ago and it was just odd enough to be compelling.

Bourbon Pumpkin Smash

There's a chill in the air, the leaves are changing colors and the pumpkin cocktails are flowing freely around here. Mixed with the warmth of bourbon, cinnamon and maple, this drink just typifies autumn.

Pear and Bourbon Ginger Snap

The other day I was poaching pears in a ginger syrup for a cheese course dish and the aroma was intoxicating. Even the next morning, my kitchen still a light ginger fragrance and the leftover pears on my counter were ripe and aromatic. I just had to do something more with all that!

The Fig and Bourbon

The temperature has finally fallen a bit around here.  Still warm but no longer hot.  The summer fruits are disappearing, replaced by lovely apples and pears and figs!  Yay for figs.  They have such a short growing season from late summer into early fall and are almost gone already.

Bourbon and Thyme Peach Smash

Even though we're quickly coming up on Labor Day weekend, I'm taking advantage of the last bits of summer I can grab.  There's still plenty of beautiful ripe fruit to be had at the market and the August peaches are sweet and juicy.

Mint Julep

The famous Kentucky Derby has been run on the first Saturday in May since 1875.  And though the race itself only lasts about two minutes, the festivities and traditions make for a big party.