Most of my work takes place out of season (Halloween projects in May, Christmas in August, Easter in January...) so I try very hard to be present in other areas of my life and celebrate what IS in season. This seems to manifest itself more during happy hour or at the dinner table, which is fine because I feel like I'm imparting a great lesson and experience for my son--with dinner, not happy hour!
I bought a bunch of beautiful cherries and decided on a whim to infuse bourbon with them. I did nothing more than take a handful (per each pint of bourbon), wash and pit them, and drop them in a Mason jar with the bourbon. I let them sit for about 7 days in the refrigerator, then strained the cherries out. (Check the bourbon for taste at 7 days. If it's not flavorful enough at that point, let it sit until it is.) The end result was a beautiful, rosy red bourbon with a subtle, yet fruity touch of cherry. I made a Cherry Vanilla Old Fashioned with them and it was a real treat. Here's the recipe:
Cherry Vanilla Old Fashioned
2 ounces cherry infused Bulleit Bourbon
1/2 of a vanilla bean, split
1-inch piece of orange zest
1/4 oz. Simple Syrup
2 dashes orange bitters
Ice
In a rocks glass, muddle the vanilla bean and orange zest with the Simple Syrup and bitters. Add the bourbon and ice, stir. Garnish with a skewered cherry, if desired.
Cheers!
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