ginger bourbon creme
I had a heck of a time naming this pretty glass. Then, because I’m a lightweight, I didn’t think about it until my brain fog cleared from the single drink I sipped and came up with Ginger Bourbon Creme. Not quite an old fashioned, not quite a smash or a sour, but a super drinkable cozy cocktail infused with a ginger simple syrup, bourbon, orange bitters, a dab of sparkling water, and an even smaller dab of heavy cream.
Drinking isn’t my forte anymore what with the newfound Ironman-esque training lifestyle I’ve adopted. Prolonged abstention from alcohol leads to some pretty interesting reactions when I take the leap and grab a drink. The night I enjoyed this Ginger Bourbon Creme, I cooked up some type of mushroom stew that ended up very delicious and formed the base of an upcoming VE recipe, and somehow remembered within the bourbon-induced mental fissure how to properly bake popovers. Leastwise I know I’m functional when tipsy. Except I sent far too many irrelevant selfies to my sister and one of my friends.
This cocktail is beautiful, and blessedly simple. Simmer a thumb of grated ginger in honey and water for 5-10 minutes, strain, then use the resulting simple syrup as the base for the cocktail. Add your favorite bourbon, a shake of orange bitters, and shake it up with some ice. Do your fanciest cocktail pour into a nice glass, top with sparkling water, and wrap it all up in a nice bow of heavy cream. Heavy whipping cream is key here. Do not buy regular whipping cream or any other lower fat milk. You need the high fat content in order to avoid congealing. Plus, the heavy cream renders the cocktail super drinkable. May or may not be dangerous, in that sense.
What’s your favorite bourbon? And if you’re not a bourbon drinker, your favorite imbibement? Let me know if you try this Ginger Bourbon Creme by leaving a comment below with your thoughts! As always, I’m roaming about Instagram and ready to say hello!
Ingredients
ginger bourbon creme
- 2 oz bourbon
- 2 oz ginger simple syrup (about 4 tbsp)
- dash orange bitters
- 2 oz sparkling water
- 1 oz heavy whipping cream
ginger simple syrup
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/3 cup water
- 2 tbsp peeled and grated fresh ginger
Instructions
- To make the ginger syrup, heat honey, water, and ginger in a small saucepan over medium-low until honey dissolves and ginger flavor infuses into the mixture. This will take about 5 minutes.
- Mix the cocktail! In a shaker, add bourbon, ginger syrup, orange bitters, and a generous handful of ice. Shake 8-10 times. Strain over a glass. Top with sparkling water and finish with heavy whipping cream. Garnish with an orange slice and cinnamon stick, if desired.
