Herb Infused Cocktail ~ Cranberry Bourbon Sour

    

    The Uncorked Wine festival is expanding this year and we are happy to host two amazing events for festival goers to attend.  Tickets must be purchased in advance so grab yours today and plan to attend either the Festival Happy Hour or Boozy Bruch.  For more information about these two events click on the links for the details.  We are whipping up some amazing fall cocktails to enjoy at the Festival Happy Hour.  We hope that you will join us to enjoy these delectable delights, and experience them first hand. 

    If you are unable to attend we wanted to be able to share with you one of the cocktails this month.  After all fall is in the air, or at least we hope it is.  The temps are slowly dropping in our neck of the woods and we are ready for some cocktails on the deck to welcome in the cooler temperatures.  So we have come up with a great new herb infused cocktail feature rosemary and bourbon.  This months bourbon comes straight from a distillery right here in Texas. 

    Their routes started in wine and they have recently branched out to bourbon to bring new flavors and guests to the table.  The Bending Branch Winery was founded in 2009 and is located in Comfort, Texas.  The Chickenduck Wheated Bourbon featured in our cocktail this month, has been aged in American Oak for one year and brings with it flavors of buttery toffee, cinnamon and caramelized sugar. Some of those flavors add to our cocktail to make it a delight for the taste buds.  

    The classic mixing of cranberry and bourbon adds a little tart to the somewhat sweet tastes of this bourbon.  It's perfect for mixing together a great cocktail or pouring over some ice to enjoy by the fireside.  Do not miss out on this delicious combination in this months herb infused cocktail of the month.

Cranberry Bourbon Sour

2 ounces Bourbon

1 ounce 100% Cranberry Juice

1 ounce fresh lemon juice

1/2 ounce rosemary simple syrup

2 dashes orange bitters

fresh cranberries

fresh rosemary sprig

Add all ingredients except for garnish into cocktail shaker that has been filled with ice.  Give it a vigorous shake, until well chilled on the outside.  Strain into a glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with cranberries and rosemary sprig.

    Rosemary simple syrup is easy to make and store.  Equal parts water to sugar.  I used 1 cup of each and added in two four inch sprigs of rosemary to the pot.  Cook until all the sugar has dissolved.  Let the rosemary sit in the sugar until cooled and it's ready to use.  Store in an airtight container for up to seven days.    

        We plan to make this one in a big batch for an event and are sure it will not disappoint.  Be sure to use the fresh squeezed lemon juice, since it will just add to the flavor of the drink and a little kick.  If you do not have 100% cranberry juice just adjust your simple syrup amount to counteract the sugar in the juice.  

    Make this drink your own and how you want it to taste.  Mix it up add a little more sweet or a little more tart based on how you are feeling and what you might be eating.  Either way, please be sure to drink responsibly and have a designated driver.  Cheers!