Bourbon loves orange and spice; fans of the old-fashioned know this. In this cocktail from Katipai Richardson-Wilson of Brooklyn’s Dirty Precious, the citrus and whiskey share the spotlight. Honey and orange tea amplify the bourbon’s toasty barrel flavors. (The honey syrup is cut with a bit of sugar so the honey doesn’t dominate.) I hope this recipe catches your eye in cooler seasons, when piles of crisp leaves and bonfires call for bourbon drinks. For a big gathering, double the recipe for a large punch bowl, add an ice block, and make sure each glass gets plenty of ice.
—Maggie Hoffman
Reprinted with permission from Batch Cocktails: Make-Ahead Pitcher Drinks for Every Occasion by Maggie Hoffman, copyright © 2019. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House. Photography copyright: Kelly Puleio © 2019
- 2-1/4 cups high-proof bourbon (such as Medley Bros.)
- 1-1/2 cups chilled orange-honey syrup (recipe follows)
- 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon water
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 10 orange wheels
- 10 orange twists (optional)
- Up to 1 day before serving, make the batch. Pour bourbon, chilled orange-honey syrup, and water into a 2-quart pitcher and stir to mix. If not serving immediately, seal well, covering with plastic wrap if needed, and refrigerate.
- Up to 2 hours before serving, prepare lemon juice and stir into pitcher mix. Reseal and return to refrigerator if not serving immediately.
- To serve, fill pitcher with ice, add orange wheels, and stir gently until outside of pitcher is cool. Pour cocktail into ice-filled rocks glasses. Express oils from an orange twist over each cocktail, if desired, and use twist as garnish.
ORANGE-HONEY SYRUP
Makes about 1-2/3 cups
1 cup water
2 orange tea bags (such as Tazo wild sweet orange)
2 tablespoons sugar
3/4 cup honey
In a small saucepan, bring water to a bare simmer over medium-high heat. As soon as you spot the first bubble, add tea bags, remove from heat, and let steep for 5 minutes. Discard tea bags. Add honey and sugar to saucepan, return to medium-high heat, and stir constantly, just until dissolved. Remove from heat. Let cool, then transfer to a resealable container and refrigerate until chilled or for up to 1 week.
