Bourbon is the holiday spirit. The vanilla, caramel, and oak character pairs with everything cold-weather — cinnamon, apple, ginger, citrus peel, dried fruit. Here are five bourbon cocktails for Thanksgiving through New Year, built around our Zanja-Madre Bourbon.
1. The hot toddy
2 oz Zanja-Madre Bourbon, 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice, 0.75 oz honey syrup (honey + hot water 1:1), 4 oz hot water. Stir in a mug. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a clove-studded slice. The cure for everything.
2. Apple cider Old Fashioned
Modify the standard Old Fashioned with 0.5 oz fresh apple cider in place of the simple syrup. 2 oz Zanja-Madre Bourbon, 0.5 oz fresh apple cider, 3 dashes Angostura bitters, large ice cube, orange peel. The fall version of the classic.
3. Hot buttered bourbon
Stir 1 tbsp brown butter (melted, cooled slightly), 1 tbsp brown sugar, and a pinch of cinnamon into 4 oz hot water. Add 2 oz Zanja-Madre Bourbon. Top with a dollop of whipped cream. Christmas in a mug.
4. Cranberry bourbon smash
Muddle 6 fresh cranberries and 4 mint leaves in a shaker with 0.5 oz simple syrup. Add 2 oz Zanja-Madre Bourbon, 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice. Shake with ice. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary.
5. Bourbon eggnog
The proper version: 6 egg yolks beaten with 1/2 cup sugar; 1 cup whole milk; 1 cup heavy cream; 1 cup Zanja-Madre Bourbon; 0.5 cup brandy; nutmeg. Whisk together, refrigerate at least an hour, serve in small punch cups dusted with fresh nutmeg. Aged for two weeks if you can wait.
Where to next
Shop Zanja-Madre Bourbon, try the classic Old Fashioned, or learn how bourbon is made.