Last night I was working and it was a fairly busy shift, but it was two of us behind the bar, so I got time to relax a little and try out few new ideas. We got few new bottles delivered recently, among those a new Maker’s Mark, and I decided it was about time we tested them.
After a couple of Americano, just to relax my mind, and several new vodkas (tried with and without tonic), I opted for something similar to an Old Fashioned, but with a bit more afterdinner vibe.

ITEM N°20

Ingredients:
2 oz. Maker’s Mark
1 oz. Honey Syrup (1:1)
0.5 oz. Lime juice
2 dashes Underberg Bitters
Grapefruit zest
Splash of soda

Garnish:
Crusta of sweet paprika and confectioners sugar, glued to the glass with Angostura.

Prep:
This is to be treated like any other Old Fashioned, so there are a thousand ways to mix it. Pour the Syrup, bitters, lime juice and soda over a grapefruit zest and gently muddle it. Add Maker’s Mark and ice, stir until the desired dilution is reached, then fine strain in a chilled glass bottle. Store in the fridge as long as you want.
For the crusta, mix equal part of sweet paprika and confectioner sugar. Spray Angostura bitters over the top half of a balloon glass, then coat the sprayed area with the mix. Add 3 large ice balls and pour the drink over.

I didn’t know it but the combo Bourbon-paprika is a killer one. The drink itself is very tasty, on the sweet side, but a good grapefruit zest and Underberg give good depth and bitter herbal nuances. This Old Fashioned though shines once it gets into that big Paprika covered glass. The aroma, which is a mix of Angostura spices and Paprika, is something that I’ve never tried before. And it feels like I should have had to. Even the sip is very surprising, with the honey giving way to the bourbon, (two flavors akin) which in turn gives way to a lingering oriental sweet and spicy sensation which is typical of Eastern Europe cuisine. Definitely a valid twist on a classic, it left me craving for more, and needless to say, I indulged myself with a second one. Salute!!