Winter Awakening

This warming creation celebrates the transitional period of Aquarius season, when winter begins its gradual shift toward spring. The bourbon provides a strong foundation, while the combination of ginger liqueur and rosemary honey syrup creates layers of complexity that mirror the multifaceted nature of Aquarian thought.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz Bourbon

  • 0.5 oz Spiced Ginger Liqueur

  • 0.5 oz Meyer Lemon Juice

  • 0.25 oz Rosemary Honey Syrup (recipe follows)

  • Garnish: Crystallized rosemary sprig, lemon twist

  • Glassware: Rocks glass

Rosemary Honey Syrup:

  • 1/2 cup Water

  • 1/2 cup High-quality Honey

  • 3 Fresh Rosemary Sprigs

Instructions: For the Syrup:

  1. Warm water in a small saucepan until just below simmer.

  2. Add honey and stir until fully incorporated.

  3. Add rosemary sprigs and reduce heat to low.

  4. Simmer gently for 10 minutes.

  5. Remove from heat and let steep for 30 minutes.

  6. Strain and cool completely. Store refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

For the Cocktail:

  1. Place a large crystal-clear ice cube in a rocks glass.

  2. Combine bourbon, ginger liqueur, Meyer lemon juice, and rosemary honey syrup in a mixing glass.

  3. Fill mixing glass with fresh ice.

  4. Stir for 45 seconds until properly chilled and diluted.

  5. Strain over the large ice cube.

  6. Express oils from a lemon twist over the drink and discard.

  7. Garnish with crystallized rosemary sprig.