bourbon mixology

Making The Desert Bloom: A Prickly Pear Bourbon Refreshment

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Episode 64: The Desert Bloom | Neon Pink Highball!

The garden has finally woken up! 🌸 Today on Your Bourbon Journey, Rebecca kicks off our April “Vibrant Spring” series with a cocktail that looks like a neon dream but hits like a heavyweight. Meet The Desert Bloom.

We’re trading forest floor flavors for high-desert botanicals, using a stunning Prickly Pear Syrup to create a “Neon Heart” in the glass. But don’t let the pink hue fool you—this isn’t a “sugar bomb.” By using Old Grand-Dad 114, we provide a spicy, high-proof anchor that stands up to the citrus and sweetness.

The real magic trick? Celery Bitters. This savory “garden snap” cuts through the candy notes, grounding the drink in a sophisticated, botanical reality. If you’re looking for a refreshing yet bold highball to celebrate the return of spring, this is your new go-to.

In this video, Rebecca breaks down:

  • The “Neon Heart”: Working with Prickly Pear Syrup.
  • Why OGD 114 is the perfect high-rye foundation for tall drinks.
  • The “Secret Weapon”: How celery bitters transform a fruit-forward cocktail.
  • The “Mineral Effervescence” of club soda as a flavor conductor.

Recipe: The Desert Bloom

  • 2 oz Old Grand-Dad 114 Bourbon
  • .75 oz Prickly Pear Syrup
  • .50 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 1 bar spoon Demerara Syrup
  • 2 dashes Fee Brothers Celery Bitters
  • 2 oz Club Soda
  • Garnish: Fresh Mint Sprig (Don’t forget to slap it!)

🛒 Featured Cocktail Ingredients & Tools

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check out the links below!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

NOTE: The spirits and items in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the producers for this review. Please drink responsibly.

#Bourbon #WhiskeyCocktail #YourBourbonJourney #OldGrandDad114 #Mixology #SpringCocktails #PricklyPear #ThirstyThursday #BourbonCommunity #HomeBartender #CocktailRecipe #DrinkResponsibly #BourbonLife #WhiskeyTasting #HighProof

The Toronto Cocktail: The Old Fashioned’s Muscle Car 

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Upgrade Your Old Fashioned: The Toronto Cocktail 🏎️💨

If the Old Fashioned is your daily driver, consider The Toronto your high-performance muscle car. It’s got more torque, more grip, and a bold flavor profile that demands your attention!

In Episode 55 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails, Rebecca breaks down this sophisticated “Bitter Old Fashioned.” Originally appearing in 1948, this classic cocktail swaps standard bitters and sugar for the powerhouse punch of Fernet-Branca and the rich, smoky depth of Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup.

We’re putting a unique twist on the original by using Old Grand-Dad 114. This high-rye bourbon (27% rye mashbill) brings the heat of a rye whiskey, while its signature “peanut and vanilla” sweetness acts as a silencer, perfectly taming the medicinal notes of the Fernet.

In this video, you’ll learn:

  • Why Fernet-Branca is the “seasoning” your home bar needs.
  • How to use maple syrup as a bridge between Kentucky bourbon and Canadian history.
  • The secret to balancing herbaceous “snap” with rich, coating sweetness.

Stay tuned until the end for the full tasting notes—from the bright orange oil nose to the dry, minty finish that will leave you wanting another sip.

🔔 Subscribe for more Thirsty Thursday cocktails! Next week, we’re kicking off our Valentine’s Day series with romantic sips you won’t want to miss.

🥃 The Recipe: The Toronto

  • 2 oz High-Rye Bourbon (Old Grand-Dad 114)
  • 1/4 oz Fernet-Branca
  • 1/4 oz Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup
  • 2 Dashes Angostura Bitters
  • Garnish: Large Orange Twist

Preparation: Combine ingredients in a mixing glass with plenty of ice. Stir for 20-30 seconds until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe or a rocks glass over one large clear ice cube. Express the orange peel over the drink and drop it in.

🛒 Shop the Bar (Amazon Affiliate Links)

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check out the links below!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

NOTE: The spirits and items in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the producers for this review. Please drink responsibly.

#CocktailRecipe #Bourbon #OldGrandDad114 #FernetBranca #TheToronto #ClassicCocktails #HomeBartender #WhiskeyLover #BourbonJourney #ThirstyThursday #Mixology #MapleSyrup #OldFashionedTwist #CocktailHistory #DrinkResponsibly