Whether the actual weather shows it or not, we are in the fall season, and with fall comes whiskey. We push our bottles of Gin to the back of the liquor cabinet and pull forward Bourbon, Rye and Scotch. The Manhattan and Old Fashioned are staples for cool weather drinking and the variations on these two cocktails are endless. This weekend (weather be damned) we dove in to our trove of whiskey recipes and dusted off a fall favorite from last year. It is a variation on the Old Fashioned, or maybe the Manhattan. In any event it is a mash up of the two using port wine, maple syrup and bitters instead of vermouth and employing the Old Fashioned’s best friend, the muddler, to infuse oil of orange peel into the drink. It is strong and mildly sweet with enough bitter bite to balance the whole. This drink screams fall and is a perfect ice breaker for pre-dinner celebrations. Give it a shot!
Port Old Fashioned
- 2 Ounces Bourbon
- ½ Ounce Ruby Port
- ¼ Ounce Maple Syrup
- Angostura Bitters
- Orange Peel
In a Stout Lowball Glass (A large short tumbler) add a wide strip of orange peel, maple syrup and two good dashes of bitters. Gently muddle the ingredients to extract a bit of the essential oils from the peel then fill the glass with crushed ice. Pour the two ounces of Bourbon in followed by the ½ Ounce of Ruby Port. Stir lightly to combined ingredients. Enjoy!
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