Thirsty Thursday: Brown Butter Old Fashioned Cocktail

By: Roberto Ferdman
Brown Butter Old Fashioned

It’s more than just alliteration; it’s a statement, a proclamation that Thursdays are when the weekend should really start. Kicking it off right is the key, and what better way than with a cocktail that not only takes the edge off, but tastes good too.

Last week we shared a recipe for Alie and Georgia's quirky-cool Drunken Donuts Cocktail; this week we're back with something a bit more traditional.

Dating all the way back to the early 1880s, the Old Fashioned has become such a classic cocktail it's even inspired the creation of a corresponding Old Fashioned glass. Centered around smoky bourbon, bitters and an aromatic citrus rind, its orange-kissed hue exudes elegance.

Building off the cocktail's classy base, this recipe includes brown butter-infused bourbon and maraschino liqueur, a duo of delicious flavors that work beautifully with the bitters and citrus. But be warned: once you've sipped on the Brown Butter Old Fashioned, drinking any other variant may never prove as satisfying. Bottoms up, folks.

1 serving

Ingredients:

1 pound cold unsalted butter

4 1/2 ounces milk solids

32 ounces bourbon

1/2 ounce maraschino liqueur
2 dashes barrel-aged bitters, such as Fee Brothers

Ice

1 orange twist

Directions:

Melt the butter over high heat. Once the water begins to evaporate, begin to stir to avoid browning. Add the milk solids. Continue stirring. Once the butter browns, pour through a cone filter into a heatproof container to separate the brown butter solids from the clarified butter. Cool to room temperature.

Add the butter solids to the bourbon. Stir to incorporate. Cover and place in the freezer for 6 hours or until the solids separate. Strain off the frozen solids and store in the refrigerator.

In a mixing glass, combine 2 ounces butter-infused bourbon, maraschino liqueur and bitters. Stir over ice. Strain over fresh ice into a rocks glass. Express an orange twist over the glass and drop it into the glass.

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