I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! Whether you stayed home and kept it small, were able to see some family or skipped it all together I hope you were still able to make it a good day. Brad and I had planned on hosting our first Thanksgiving in our new home, but ended up having to cancel. While we were both disappointed, we made the most of our day and spent it doing something good. For those of you who might not know, we foster cats! And typically those that have health issues and need some extra care and attention. We live downtown Columbus which has quite a feral & stray cat problem. We're working on trapping some feral kittens from several blocks away. We we're able to catch one yesterday who is very scared but already starting to acclimate and will work on catching three more this weekend. Soon after we'll have them ready for adoption. 🙂
We also spent yesterday sipping on this cocktail!
I've noticed a new trend starting to pop up on cocktail menus recently. Bourbon cocktails with some form of red wine reduction. There's a great local one over at Buckeye Bourbon House, and I had an amazing one in upstate NY at 1833 in Aurora a few weeks ago. After having both of these I was determined to come up with my own version. And guys. I think I nailed it! All you need for this drink is bourbon, dry red wine (i.e. Cabernet), brown sugar and cranberries. I used E.H. Taylor which you bourbon snobs are probably scoffing at me for, but we have several bottles and I love it so why not. But pick whatever bourbon you like! Ryes would work great here.
Cranberries are optional. I added them, because they give it a little extra holiday pizazz but the drink tastes great without them as well. We sipped on both versions last night.
To make your red wine reduction you'll simply bring red wine and brown sugar to boil in a small saucepan and simmer until reduced. Be sure to cool before mixing or it will congeal and not incorporate well. You can store your red wine reduction in the fridge in an airtight container for a couple weeks. This makes it incredibly easy to make second (or third or fourth...) rounds of this drink!
All that's left to do is mix with some muddled cranberries and your bourbon of choice! I like to serve this drink up with a round ice cube but down on the rocks works fine too! Cheers and enjoy your weekend!
You might also enjoy:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz red wine reduction (½ cup dry, red wine (i.e. Cabernet) ¼ cup brown sugar)
- ¼ cup fresh cranberries
- ice
- Add wine and brown sugar to a small saucepan and bring to boil. Reduce heat to simmer for about 5 minutes or until thickened/reduced (but not too thick).
- Set aside until cool.
- In a glass or shaker add bourbon and cranberries.
- Muddle cranberries into bourbon.
- Add red wine reduction and ice.
- Stir well.
- Strain into a fresh glass with ice.
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