Whiskey and I have always had a love hate relationship. I went through a phase in college where Jack Daniels was my JAM. And then, like most things from college, I outgrew it and moved on. Or perhaps my sudden repulsion was due to a bad night with my frienemy, Jack.
Time heals all wounds and these days I’m finally dipping a toe back into the whiskey pool and am starting to explore bourbon whiskeys. While you won’t (likely ever) find me coming home from work and pouring a splash of bourbon whiskey over some ice, you might find me experimenting with various whiskey-based cocktails ever so often.
Today’s cocktail is not for the faint of heart. It is essentially straight bourbon whiskey over ice with a splash of flavor added in for good measure. I didn’t expect to love it or want to share it with all of you but I found it so delicious that I just couldn’t help myself. It’s the perfect springtime drink because it blends the smooth, woody, wintery flavor or bourbon with just a hint of sunny days to come in the form of lemon and mint.
Not only does this bourbon whiskey cocktail offer your tastebuds a delicious and unique flavor, the drink’s ingredients are also a feast for the eyes. Fresh lemon and mint combine to break up the intense taste of bourbon is the most delicate of ways.
The addition of sugar during the muddling process ensures that the tartness of the lemon is of a manageable level.
A muddle and a shake later and you have yourself a Whiskey Lemon Foxtrot – the perfect satisfying drink for a spring evening.
- 4 oz bourbon whiskey
- 1 lemon - cut into eight slices
- 6 tbsp fresh mint leaves - about sixteen leaves
- 2 tbsp white sugar
- 2 cups crushed ice
- optional splash of lemon water
- Muddle mint, lemon wedges and sugar together with a splash of whiskey until the sugar has dissolved.
- Add the remainder of the whiskey and shake for thirty seconds.
- Using a strainer, pour mixture over a glass full of crushed ice.
- Garnish with mint, lemon or whatever your heart desires.
Optional: add a splash of lemon water if the cocktail tastes too strong. I do!