Getting Democratic on The Democrat
I've had my share of days bartending and even more than my share of days of weeding through the crap that companies publish about their products in the name of "breaking news." I mean, really, do we NEED a tequila recipe that commemorates Columbus Day?
My solution lately? I've been hitting the classic cocktails hard, buying the old books, and bugging all the people I know that are good at this on how to do something. Thus cometh The Democrat.
Now, The Democrat is one of those cocktails that I call a "Crossover Cocktail." Why? Because it's one of those drinks that has something in it that people will say they hate, something like bourbon, and it will win them over and get them started on path to righteousness. Other cocktails I include in this are a Cucumber Gimlet, an Aviation, and a few others.
So, here's the old recipe for The Democrat.
2oz Bulleit Bourbon
1oz Democrat Syrup
3/4oz Fresh Lemon Juice
The Democrat Syrup is really the key here. It's one part warm water, one part honey, and two parts peach liqueur all mixed together. Then you let the syrup get to room temperature (or chilled) before you use it in the cocktail. Combine the ingredients in a Collin's glass and then stuff the glass full of crushed ice. Tasty.
I wanted to mix it up a bit and see what I could do to change up the flavors. So, I made what became The Ted Kennedy
2oz Rye Whisky (I used Hirsch)
1oz Kennedy Syrup
3/4oz Fresh Lemon Juice
For the Kennedy Syrup, I wanted to use a pear liqueur so I lowered the ratio of the honey so it wouldn't get overpowered. So, it was one part warm water, one part honey, and 2 parts pear liqueur. Using the rye whisky really brought out the flavors of the pear as well. A nice mellow blend.
The beauty of this one? You can try it for yourself very easily. So, you know, you might want to get on that.
My solution lately? I've been hitting the classic cocktails hard, buying the old books, and bugging all the people I know that are good at this on how to do something. Thus cometh The Democrat.
Now, The Democrat is one of those cocktails that I call a "Crossover Cocktail." Why? Because it's one of those drinks that has something in it that people will say they hate, something like bourbon, and it will win them over and get them started on path to righteousness. Other cocktails I include in this are a Cucumber Gimlet, an Aviation, and a few others.
So, here's the old recipe for The Democrat.
2oz Bulleit Bourbon
1oz Democrat Syrup
3/4oz Fresh Lemon Juice
The Democrat Syrup is really the key here. It's one part warm water, one part honey, and two parts peach liqueur all mixed together. Then you let the syrup get to room temperature (or chilled) before you use it in the cocktail. Combine the ingredients in a Collin's glass and then stuff the glass full of crushed ice. Tasty.
I wanted to mix it up a bit and see what I could do to change up the flavors. So, I made what became The Ted Kennedy
2oz Rye Whisky (I used Hirsch)
1oz Kennedy Syrup
3/4oz Fresh Lemon Juice
For the Kennedy Syrup, I wanted to use a pear liqueur so I lowered the ratio of the honey so it wouldn't get overpowered. So, it was one part warm water, one part honey, and 2 parts pear liqueur. Using the rye whisky really brought out the flavors of the pear as well. A nice mellow blend.
The beauty of this one? You can try it for yourself very easily. So, you know, you might want to get on that.
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