lemon chai bourbon smash

• 份量: 1 drink

配料

½ lemon, quartered

4 fresh mint leaves or 1 to 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary leaves

2 ounces (¼ cup) bourbon (I like Off Hours)

1 to 2 ounces (2 to 4 tablespoons)

Dash of orange bitters

Sparkling water, for topping

Orange slices or zest, cinnamon stick, and star anise, for garnish (optional)

Chai Simple Syrup (recipe follows)

4 chai tea bags

⅓ cup pure maple syrup

步骤

1. In a cocktail shaker or glass jar with a lid, muddle together the lemon wedges and mint. Add the bourbon, chai syrup, and bitters. Fill the shaker with ice and shake to combine for 15 to 30 seconds.

2. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Top off with sparkling water. Garnish with the orange slices, cinnamon stick, and star anise, if desired.

Chai Simple Syrup

MAKES ¾ CUP

In a medium saucepan, bring 1 cup of water to a boil over high heat. Remove the pan from the heat, add the tea bags, cover, and steep for 10 to 15 minutes; the longer it steeps, the more flavor the tea bags will impart. Discard the tea bags and stir in the maple syrup. Return to a boil over high heat. Cook until reduced by nearly half, about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat. Let the syrup cool completely before using. Store refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

备注

Throughout the winter months, if my family or friends are in town, come 5 p.m., they walk through the studio doors looking for a cocktail after being out in the snow all day. Bourbon is always popular, but if this drink screams anyone's name in particular, it's the brother just older than me in the lineup, Brendan. He's not one to turn down a drink—ever—but he does have favorites, and this is one of them. The spiced lemon syrup is what makes it work. It's delicious, and you'll have enough from one recipe to mix up a few drinks. My ideal winter night is to have this cozy, warming cocktail in hand with a fire crackling in the background. It's Bren's, too-and soon it will be yours.