Pine Old Fashioned
Did you know that the Old Fashioned is one of the oldest known cocktails? Back in the day, a cocktail was simply spirits, sugar, water, and bitters. If you wanted one, you'd lean over the bar and whisper: "The old-fashioned way, please."
Sorry, Old Fashioned. Old-fashioned isn't really our thing. That's why we jazz up this classic drink with some pine syrup during the colder months. Yes, you can actually buy pine syrup, but wouldn't it be cool to make it yourself? Either way, the pine tree gives the traditional Old Fashioned a seasonal, sensational twist. Cheers!
What you need:
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25 ml pine syrup (store-bought or homemade – see recipe below)
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2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters or other aromatic bitters
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60 ml Bourbon or Rye Whiskey
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Ice cubes
Here's how to do it:
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Mix the syrup and bitters in a tumbler or another glass.
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Fill with Bourbon.
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Add ice cubes and garnish with a sprig of pine.
How to make pine syrup
First, you'll need 4 to 5 pine sprigs. Only collect them if you're sure you can identify the tree. There are also poisonous conifers like yew or juniper in our region.
It's best to gather the lightest-colored sprigs you can find, as they are the youngest. Make sure the tree of your choice hasn't been treated with chemicals or otherwise contaminated.
For the syrup, mix one cup of sugar with one cup of water. You can make more syrup, just keep the ratio 1:1. As you bring the water to a boil, stir to dissolve the sugar. Let it simmer for a bit. Then, remove from the heat, add the pine needles, and let it steep for 2-3 hours.
Once cooled, strain the pine syrup. It can be stored in the fridge for up to a month.
Tips for the Pine Old Fashioned
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Experiment with the amount of bitters and syrup to find the perfect balance for your taste. More syrup makes the drink sweeter.
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A large ice cube is ideal as it melts more slowly and waters down the drink less.
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You can also use the pine syrup in other cocktails, like a Gin and Tonic.