Elliot and I couldn’t be further apart when it comes to cocktails. I’ll take a margarita or cosmo any day, while he picks anything with gin or whiskey. So, once in awhile, I feel like it’s best to come up with a cocktail that fits his fancy more than mine (which means leaving out the vodka or tequilla.) I really wish I liked whiskey, but I just don’t think I’m cut out for it. However, if you do enjoy a good bourbon cocktail, this one is definitely a must try. It’s Elliot’s favorite drink that we’ve made at home so far, so it’s been officially approved by a bourbon-lover. I figured a spin on an old fashioned might be interesting, and this one was definitely fun to make.The berries and lemon lighten up the drink a bit, making it a tad more summery.

One note on the tart cherry grenadine… if you don’t have the Quince & Apple brand syrup, you can make your own grenadine at home. If you use the regular kind, it will be much too sweet and maraschino cherry-tasting. To make the syrup, just combine 1 cup of dark cherry juice and 1/4 cup sugar in a pan, and bring to a boil. Let the sauce simmer until it reduces to a thick syrup (about 15 minutes). Otherwise, you can omit the grenadine from the recipe all together, and you’ll still have a yummy drink!

For those non-whiskey lovers out there, this recipe can also be converted to a vodka cocktail. Just replace the bourbon with a shot and a half of vodka, and top it off with club soda. Cheers!

Berry Old Fashioned (serves 1)

4 Raspberries

5-7 Blueberries

1 Sugar cube

2 Dashes of bitters

1/2 oz. Lemon juice

1/2 oz. Tart cherry grenadine

2 Shots bourbon

Ice

Muddle berries, sugar cube, and bitters in a glass. Add lemon juice, grenadine, bourbon, and ice. Stir well.

xx