Bourbon & Berries

Outside of drinks like the Mint Julep, bourbon is considered to be more of an autumnal and wintery spirit, meant for sipping in front of fire places or in warm bars. Unlike tequila or rum, it’s not generally considered a summer sipper. But when combined with the right ingredients, bourbon can easily become an all-season, year-long spirit. One such ingredient that can be used to bring it into the warmer months is strawberries, those quintessential summer treats.

Originally created by former bar lead Willem Van Leuven at San Diego’s Herb & Wood and adapted by bar lead Emily Carroll, this take on the Old Fashioned employs a different flavored syrup depending on the seasonal produce that’s available. “The strawberry-vanilla syrup that we use to add dimension to this cocktail was the result of a collaborative effort with our executive pastry chef, Adrian Mendoza, who’s the brains behind the berry syrup series and to date has developed a cranberry-cinnamon and blackberry-cinnamon, in addition to the strawberry,” says Carroll.

One of the best elements of the Bourbon & Berries recipe is its flexibility. For one, you can use the strawberry-vanilla syrup in other recipes. For instance, try substituting it for the simple syrup in a Daiquiri or for the sweetener in a Margarita to add a fruity touch. Additionally, you can adjust the recipe for different fruits—like other berries in summer, or fall fruits like apple or pear, both of which marry with vanilla lovingly.

Similarly, even the base spirit can be altered. While the purpose is to drink bourbon year-round, there’s nothing stopping you from using another spirit in its stead. Rum, for instance, would make a lovely Old Fashioned with the strawberry-vanilla syrup. Or, you could use a rye whiskey instead of a bourbon, for extra spice that pairs well with the vanilla. The point is to have fun with a fruit syrup and an Old Fashioned base.