Hearthside Butter & Bourbon

Matthew Kelly / Supercall
Matthew Kelly / Supercall

While fat washing bourbon gives it a savory, buttery depth, adding vanilla beans further intensifies the spirit’s rich, sweet flavors. “When you infuse the bourbon with butter and vanilla beans overnight, it adds a uniquely savory component to this cocktail,” says Caitlin Hula, beverage manager of Cliff House Maine. “Instead of just having the burn of a typical bourbon, you now have a rounder mouthfeel and sweet undertones of the vanilla coming through.” Tropical ingredients don’t immediately come to mind when mixing cool weather cocktails, but Caribbean-spiced falernum brings balance to this recipe, while apple cider adds an essential tartness. As the name suggests, this satisfying libation is best sipped in front of a warm, crackling fire.

Hearthside Butter & Bourbon

FLAVOR PROFILE
Sweet, Sour
DIFFICULTY
intermediate

INGREDIENTS

INSTRUCTIONS

Step one

Combine all ingredients into a shaker tin with ice.

Step two

Shake and strain into a snifter glass.

Step three

Garnish with a cinnamon stick wrapped in an orange peel.

Contributed by Caitlin Hula