COCKTAIL FUN TODAY

Make a little cocktail party today with your friends;

Try a really sweet and savory drink called ‘Bill Heck’s Old Fashioned.’ It’s made with 2 sugar cubes, 4 dashes of angostura bitters, 1 lemon wheel, 1 lime wheel, 1 orange wheel, 1 maraschino cherry, ½ teaspoon grenadine, ¼ c. bourbon or rye whiskey, club soda, and ginger ale. Drop sugar cubes in a rocks glass; sprinkle with bitters, and then add cherry, citrus wheels, and grenadine. Using a muddler, mash just to release fruit juices and oils; add bourbon, and then fill glass with ice cubes, and then stir to combine. Top with equal parts club soda and ginger ale.

For a tasty and sour drink that has a bit of refreshing parts throughout, try a ‘Sweet Whiskey Lemonade.’ It’s made with 2 oz. triple sec, 2 oz. whiskey, 1.5 oz. lemon juice, 1 tsp. granulated sugar, ½ tsp. apricot preserves, and 3 oz. tonic water. In a shaker, combine all ingredients except for the tonic water with ice, and then shake well. Fill 2 glasses with ice, and then strain half of the drink mixture into each glass. Top each glass off with 1.5 oz. of tonic water.

When you’re in the mood for something fun to share, try a ‘Bourbon Slush Punch.’ It’s made with 9 c. water, 2 c. granulated sugar, 1 (12 oz.) can of frozen orange juice concentrate, 1 (12 oz.) can of frozen lemonade concentrate, 2 c. bourbon, and Fresca, Sprite, or 7-Up for serving. In a large pot, bring water and sugar to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer the mixture for 15 minutes; remove from the heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Add the orange juice and lemonade concentrates to the simple syrup, and then stir to combine. Add the bourbon, and stir again to combine. Transfer the mixture to a large freezer-proof container, and freeze for at least 8 hours. When ready to serve, fill glass with the slush, and then top it off with the carbonated beverage or your choice. Enjoy.