The Fennel Countdown Cocktail Recipe

(image: Linnea Covington)

About The Fennel Countdown Cocktail

Created by bartender Alexis Osborne of Acorn in Denver, this warming drink evokes campfire chats and cold days when you’re snuggled under a blanket with a good book. It’s bright and flavorful with a fruity undertone. The fennel—which is good for bones, treating heart disease and possibly fighting cancer—proves mild and slightly minty but helps give the cocktail body and a slight clarifying aftertaste.

This recipe originally appeared as part of “Everything You Need to Know About the Drinks That Could Save Your Morning.”

Ingredients in The Fennel Countdown Cocktail

1 ¹⁄₄ oz

The Real McCoy 12-year-old rum

1 oz

Père-Magloire V.S.O.P. calvados

³⁄₄ oz

291 Distillery The DECC citrus clove liqueur

¹⁄₂ oz

Fennel syrup*

³⁄₄ oz

Apricot puree

¹⁄₅ oz

Fresh lemon juice

2 dashes

Strongwater Wildfire bitters

Garnish:

Lemon square

Clove

Glass:

Rocks

How to make The Fennel Countdown Cocktail

Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake.

Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.

Garnish with a lemon square studded with a whole clove.

*Fennel syrup: Toast 4 oz fennel seeds. Add the fennel seeds, 8 oz sugar and 8 oz water to a pot, and bring to boil. Simmer for 15 minutes and strain. Makes 16 oz.