Old Fashioned Friday

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In this special extended episode, Leah talks Small Towns & Big Business with guest Melissa Werner. We've got advice for anyone thinking of moving to a small town, try a new non-alcoholic bourbon, and brainstorm for our businesses. Visit Melissa online at MelissaMachonWerner.com.

This week's NA Bourbon Old Fashioned:

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Dictionary.com defines an expert as “a person who has special skill or knowledge in some particular field”. It’s super-easy to self-identify as an expert these days! I give some examples that I’ve run into lately and share a fantastic Old Fashioned recipe.

Godiva Chocolate Bourbon Old Fashioned

In a cocktail shaker muddle one sugar cube, 2 dashes of cherry bitters, and 2 dark maraschino cherries, add in 1oz Godiva chocolate liqueur and 2oz bourbon and stir. Rim a rocks glass with chocolate sauce (or hot fudge!), fill with ice, and pour in the contents of the cocktail shaker. Double or x4 the recipe in the shaker for sharing!

In our early pursuits of the Best Old Fashioned in the Northwoods, we learned that it’s not just the ingredients, but the way a drink is fashioned (see what I did there?) that makes all the difference. Whether a drink is made with grumpiness or goodwill - it shows up in the taste - really it’s true!

Go on a date night on the town or stay home and make a few of these with your sweetie!

SOCO OF Tall - (Make this one with love...not an attitude!)

Muddle a sugar cube, orange wedge, maraschino cherry, and two shakes of bitters in a 16oz glass. Add 2oz of Southern Comfort, then fill the glass to top with ice. Add sweet or sour soda (depends on who you ask). Give it a quick stir and garnish as desired.

Secret Tip: After scooping out your maraschino cherries - make sure there’s a little bit of the juice left on the bar spoon before stirring the drink. Adds enough extra flavor to set your drinks apart!

We’re celebrating ten whole episodes of Old Fashioned Friday! Today we talk about the rich history of Maker’s Mark Bourbon, the marketing genius that is Margie Samuel, PLUS how to get your own barrel of Maker’s Mark! (sort of, not really)

The Maker’s Mark Old Fashioned

In an Old Fashioned glass, muddle together sugar, bitters, and a splash of Maker’s Mark. Fill the glass with ice or one large ice cube. Add 2oz bourbon and stir. Twist the orange peel over the glass to release the orange oil (you can also rub it on the rim of the glass), use the orange peel as garnish.

https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/old-fashioned

Entertaining over the years has certainly changed. Gatherings, especially up in the Northwoods, tend to be very much informal events. Hosting a formal cocktail party soon means I’m turning to Emily Post. Centerpiece? Check. Tablecloths? Check. Old Fashioneds on the menu? Of course!

Modern Old Fashioned from Tablespoon.com

Muddle orange, lemon, chopped peach, syrup, and bitters in a cocktail shaker. Add in fine ice and bourbon, shake and then strain into an Old Fashioned glass prepared with one large ice cube. Garnish with a slice of the peach.

How did the shot, or shot glass, get its name? There are a few theories out there, Lord only knows which one is true.

The two that are the most plausible to me, are  -

Listen to this week’s episode to hear the other stories on the Shot glass.

Old Fashioned Shot:

In a cocktail shaker, for each person having a shot, add one teaspoon sugar, 2 dashes of bitters, and 1.5 ounces of your favorite bourbon. Add ice to the cocktail shaker, shake and strain into shot glasses. Have an orange slice on hand for each person, and Tequila Shot Style, bite the orange and down your shot. Enjoy responsibly with trustworthy friends!

They say that people’s greatest fear is of public speaking...I say it’s the fear of entering a new restaurant! Have you ever avoided going to a certain restaurant because you’ve never been there before and not sure what their “system” is? We ventured into a new place and I share the story. Plus friends of ours are taking over a restaurant and bar close to us so there will always be a place I know we’ll feel welcome!

Old Fashioneds for a Crowd:

Drop orange pieces and cherries into pitcher. Add sugar cubes. Wet sugar with 12 dashes of bitters. Muddle everything together...don’t go too crazy. Pour in 6-8 shots of your favorite spirit. Add a generous amount of ice...stir. Top with your favorite clear soda and enjoy with your favorite people!

The tale of Stone Soup reminds us that life can be better with community. Life in the Northwoods can be a flow of helping out your neighbors when they need it, and accepting help when it’s your turn. After a busy week it’s time for an Old Fashioned!

This week’s recipe is a Grapefruit Honey Jack Old Fashioned:

Rim the rocks glass by dipping in a saucer of grapefruit juice (or try honey!), then in a second saucer of cane sugar. In a cocktail shaker, muddle a quarter slice of grapefruit, cherry, bitters, and simple syrup. Add 1.5 oz Honey Jack Daniels Whiskey and a tablespoon or so of grapefruit juice. Carefully pour into the prepared glass, filled with ice, and fill to the top with sparking water.

Enjoy! This is a favorite!