modern classic cocktails

Is This the Perfect Black Manhattan? The Botanical Velvet 

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Welcome to Episode 85 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails! Tonight, we are crafting The Botanical Velvet, a rich, nuanced, and highly aromatic modern riff on the classic Black Manhattan.

By splitting our bourbon base, we combine the elegant, floral lift of Larrikin Rosewater Bourbon with the bold, 120-proof backbone, deep oak, and rich caramel of Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve. Paired with the silky orange and alpine botanicals of Amaro Montenegro, a barspoon of rich Demerara syrup for decadent texture, and an earthy spiced blend of Black Walnut and Cardamom bitters, this cocktail is pure liquid velvet.

🛒 Featured Cocktail Ingredients & Tools

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

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 


🎓 Want to earn a FREE Whiskey Certificate? Start your bourbon education journey with Whiskey University today! Take your first steps here: https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/first-steps



🥃 THE BOTANICAL VELVET RECIPE

  • 1.5 oz Larrikin Rosewater Bourbon
  • 0.75 oz Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve Bourbon (120 Proof)
  • 0.75 oz Amaro Montenegro
  • 1 barspoon (0.125 oz) Rich Demerara Syrup (2:1)
  • 2 dashes Fee Brothers Black Walnut Bitters
  • 1 dash Fee Brothers Cardamom Bitters

Glassware: Chilled Coupe or Nick & Nora Glass

Garnish: Expressed Lemon Peel (oils expressed over the surface)

🚨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. 

#BlackManhattan #BourbonCocktails #CocktailRecipe #CraftCocktails #ThirstyThursday #BourbonJourney #KnobCreek #AmaroMontenegro #Mixology #WhiskeyLovers #HomeBartender #StirredCocktails #BourbonWhiskey #CocktailHour #ClassicCocktailsRiff

Romantic Bourbon Cocktail Recipe | The Velvet Letter

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

A Dark Romance in a Glass: The Velvet Letter Bourbon Cocktail 🥃💌

Welcome to Your Bourbon Journey! Tonight, we are kicking off our two-part Valentine’s series with a spirit-forward “Dark Romance” build that is as sophisticated as a hand-written love letter. If a Manhattan is a classic evening gown, The Velvet Letter is its mysterious, dark velvet cloak. 

This cocktail is a modern riff on a Black Manhattan, designed for those who prefer complexity over chocolate clichés. We use the “ink” of Merlet Crème de Cassis for a deep, moody hue and the “perfume” of Strongwater Lavender Bitters to mimic the scented stationery of the Victorian era. At the heart of it all is a bold declaration: Old Grand-Dad 114 Bourbon. The high-rye spice and 114 proof ensure the whiskey stands tall against the herbal weight of Cinzano Sweet Vermouth.

📜 A Sip of History: The Story Behind the Ingredients

While The Velvet Letter is a modern creation, every ingredient carries a legacy of romance and tradition:

  • The “Ink” (Cassis): A French café staple since the mid-1800s, this blackcurrant liqueur acts as the “ink” of our letter. Historically used in aperitifs to sharpen the mind and appetite, it brings a deep, moody hue to the glass.
  • The “Bond” (Old Grand-Dad 114): A nod to the legendary Basil Hayden, this high-rye bourbon represents the “bold declaration” of our letter. Its spicy punch is a tribute to pre-Prohibition Manhattans, which were far more robust than today’s versions.
  • The “Perfume” (Lavender): In the Victorian era, lovers separated by distance would scent their stationery with lavender. Using lavender bitters isn’t just a flavor choice—it’s a historical homage to those fragrant, handwritten tokens of affection.

Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day or just love a silky, berry-forward bourbon drink, The Velvet Letter is a must-try.

🛒 Shop the Bar tools & Ingredients

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

📜 The Recipe

  • 2 oz Old Grand-Dad 114 Bourbon
  • 0.5 oz Cinzano Sweet Vermouth
  • 0.5 oz Merlet Crème de Cassis
  • 3 Dashes Strongwater Lavender Bitters
  • 2 Dashes Fee Brothers Molasses Bitters
  • Garnish: Expressed Lemon Peel (discarded) & Luxardo Cherry

Method: Stir with plenty of ice for 25–30 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe.

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.

#BourbonCocktail #ValentinesDay #OldGrandDad114 #ManhattanRiff #Mixology #YourBourbon Journey #HomeBartender #WhiskeyGram #CraftCocktails #Cassis #LavenderBitters #BourbonLover #DrinkResponsibly #ThirstyThursday #CocktailRecipe