Bourbon + Vanilla Syrup = Delicious

Photo by Arlene Ibarra

This is cocktail that I came up with for the opening menu at Polite Provisions. When I look at the drink in retrospect, I like to tell people that I came up with the idea by trying to emulate the flavors of a vanilla mocha. Meaning I combined the flavors of vanilla and chocolate, with the charred oak of the bourbon playing the role of roasted beans. Not surprisingly, with that flavor combination, the drink went on to become extremely popular at the bar. 

What I don't generally talk about as much, is how the drink was a complete accident which I never intended to make on purpose. In fact, I actually thought that I was reaching for the Marie Brizard Orange Curacao, as I was hoping to do more of a orange/whiskey/vanilla style drink. However, the Marie Brizard Orange Curacao and White Creme de Cacao look identical,  so when I grabbed the wrong bottle, I didn't notice until it was time to taste it. 

As to how the version with Orange Curacao came out, I wouldn't know. I never got around to trying it. 

BRAVE COMPANION
2oz Bourbon
.75oz Lemon
.5oz Creme de Cacao
.5oz Vanilla Syrup

METHOD: Shake
GLASSWARE: Double Old-Fashioned
GARNISH: Lemon Wheel
 

Vanilla Syrup: Place 1 liter of white sugar into a large bowl or pitcher. Split & quarter 20 vanilla beans and add to the sugar. Pour 1 liter of BOILING HOT water over sugar and vanilla beans. Stir well & allow to sit for one hour. Strain and put in a container, label date and put in the walk in.

(To give the syrup a richer texture, mix 1.5 teaspoons of gum Arabic into the sugar & vanilla beans before topping with hot water.)