Honeybee

 

 
My husband was creating cocktails for a presentation recently and I asked him to create a cocktail inspired by a Sidecar, one of my favorite classic drinks. His interpretation is seasonal, made with fresh kumquats, and softened by Barenjager, the most delightful honey liqueur. There's a little bit of fresh mint muddled in and the surprise of lime juice, instead of the lemon juice I typically associate with these ingredients. It's smooth, balanced, beautiful, and destined to become one of my personal classics.

 
Honeybee

4 kumquats, cut in half
6 mint leaves
1/2 ounce Simple Syrup
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice

Muddle the above ingredients in a cocktail shaker to release the oils in the mint and crush the kumquats. Then add:

1 1/2 ounces cognac (We used Hennessy V.S)
1/2 ounce Barenjager

Add ice to the cocktail shaker and shake well. Use a fine mesh strainer and strain into a coupe or small martini glass. Garnish with a skewered kumquat half.

 

Simple Syrup:  Put equal parts sugar and water in a small saucepan and bring just to a boil. Stir to dissolve sugar and remove from heat. Let cool before using. (Store in refrigerator and use to sweeten cocktails, iced coffee, iced tea, etc.) 

 

Comments

[Michelle P. McNutt]

I liked the cocktail) Cooked it for the party yesterday! Thanks a lot for the recipe given) Hope to find some more interesting recipes here!

[Jen C]

This looks great! I already had kumquats on my shopping list and have been bookmarking cocktails to use them in :)