Thirsty Thursday Cocktails

This Secret Bitters Combo Transforms Honey Bourbon!

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Struggling to find a honey bourbon cocktail that isn’t overly sweet or syrupy? In Episode 74 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails, Rebecca fixes this classic cocktail dilemma with the “Honey Nut Cheers“—a spirit-forward, dry, and nutty special feature. 

Using the highly anticipated 92-proof Green River Honey Bourbon as a rich, natural wildflower canvas, this recipe introduces a sophisticated twist. By balancing the whiskey with crisp, herbaceous Carpano Dry Vermouth and a touch of Mediterranean vanilla from Licor 43, we pivot away from heavy dessert profiles. 

The real magic happens with the spine of the drink: a heavy-hitting combination of Fee Brothers Black Walnut and Toasted Almond bitters. Together, they deliver a spectacular, savory, roasted cereal-like aroma right at the rim that grounds the sweet honey notes perfectly. It’s rich, crisp, and incredibly sophisticated. 

Mix along with us, enjoy the deep woody finish of this adult childhood-cereal vibe, and don’t forget to subscribe for more premium whiskey reviews and craft cocktail recipes!

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🍸COCKTAIL INGREDIENTS:

  • • 2 oz Green River Honey Bourbon
  • • 0.75 oz Carpano Dry Vermouth
  • • 0.5 oz Licor 43
  • • 3 dashes Fee Brothers Black Walnut Cocktail Bitters
  • • 3 dashes Fee Brothers Almond Bitters
  • • Ice (for stirring)

📝 INSTRUCTIONS:

  • 1. Combine all ingredients into a mixing glass with solid ice.
  • 2. Stir thoroughly for 30 to 45 seconds to achieve the perfect chill, proper dilution, and to fully open up the toasted almond aromatics.
  • 3. Strain cleanly into a chilled coupe glass.
  • 4. Skip the garnish to let the incredible roasted, nutty aroma take center stage right at the rim! 

Please drink responsibly. Have a fabulous Thirsty Thursday!

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

NOTE:  The Green River Honey featured in this recipe was provided to us as a media sample by the producer for review purposes. We were not compensated for this video, and our opinions remain entirely our own. All other items in this video were purchased by us. 

#BourbonCocktail #GreenRiverBourbon #HoneyBourbon #CocktailRecipe #CraftCocktails #ThirstyThursday #WhiskeyGram #HomeBartender #Mixology #Licor43 #Vermouth #BourbonLovers #HoneyNutCheers #CocktailHour #DrinkResponsibly

How to Make The Beekeeper’s Sour | Summer Bourbon Cocktail

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Welcome to Episode 73 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails with Rebecca on Your Bourbon Journey! We are kicking off the summer season with a whiskey sour!

If you usually avoid honey-flavored whiskey because it’s overly sweet or syrupy, this recipe is for you. Tonight, we are making The Beekeeper’s Sour—a sophisticated, bourbon-forward whiskey sour variant that completely rethinks the honey-whiskey category. By pulling back on the sugar, adjusting the fresh lemon juice, and building a unique split-bitter backbone, we let the 92-proof Kentucky straight bourbon truly shine.

We’re also diving into advanced cocktail textures using gum syrup for a silky mouthfeel and Fee Foam for that perfect, frothy sour head without using egg whites. Plus, you’ll learn how a complex blend of Cardamom bitters and classic Angostura bitters grounds the wildflower honey notes for a crisp, balanced, and refreshing patio sipper.

If you enjoy craft cocktail recipes, bourbon reviews, and learning how to balance home bar drinks, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more whiskey journeys!

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📋 The Beekeeper’s Sour Recipe

  • 2 oz Green River Honey Bourbon
  • 0.50 oz Fresh Lemon Juice (Adjust up to 0.75 oz if your lemons are less tart!)
  • 0.25 oz Gum Syrup
  • 3 dashes Fee Foam (or egg white)
  • 2 dashes Fee Brothers Cardamom Bitters
  • 1 dash Angostura Bitters Original
  • Garnish: Dehydrated lemon wheel

🍸 Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Combine the Green River Honey Bourbon, fresh lemon juice, gum syrup, Fee Foam, and both styles of bitters into a cocktail shaker.
  2. Add ice to the shaker and shake vigorously for 10–12 seconds to achieve perfect chill, heavy aeration, and dilution.
  3. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. (Tip: Use a double-strainer if you didn’t pre-strain your fresh lemon juice!)
  4. Garnish with a dehydrated lemon wheel placed flat on top of the beautiful foam layer. Cheers!

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

NOTE:  The spirit featured in this recipe was provided to us as a media sample by the producer for review purposes. We were not compensated for this video, and our opinions remain entirely our own. All other items in this video were purchased by us. 

#WhiskeySour #GreenRiverBourbon #HoneyBourbon #CocktailRecipe #BourbonSour #SummerCocktails #ThirstyThursday #HomeBartender #WhiskeyJourney #CraftCocktails #BourbonWhiskey #CardamomBitters #FeeFoam #DrinkResponsibly #CocktailHour

This Smoked Bourbon Old Fashioned Isn’t Too Sweet! 

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Take your Old Fashioned to the next level with The Amber Coast, a rich, spirit-forward smoked cocktail that bridges modern mixology with a piece of liquid history! In Episode 72 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails, Rebecca crafts a sophisticated twist on the classic bourbon cocktail using a bold, high-rye bourbon and a secret vintage ingredient from 1983.

Whether you love whiskey tasting, exploring complex bourbon recipes, or looking for the perfect transitional spring-to-summer drink, this craft cocktail delivers massive flavor. We are combining robust oak and black pepper notes with a unique vanilla-citrus sweetness and a clean, smoky finish. Grab your cocktail mixing glass and smoke infuser, and let’s mix a drink together!

If you enjoyed learning how to make a smoked old fashioned, don’t forget to LIKE this video, SUBSCRIBE to Your Bourbon Journey for weekly craft cocktail recipes, and hit the notification bell so you never miss a Thirsty Thursday!

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The Recipe: The Amber Coast

  • Style: Smoked Old Fashioned / Spirit-Forward
  • Glassware: Heavy Rocks Glass
  • Ice: One large clear cube
  • Smoke Agent: Cherry Apple wood

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz High-Rye Bourbon (Featured: Green River Full Proof)
  • 0.5 oz French 43 Liqueur
  • 0.25 oz Dry Vermouth (Featured: Vintage Stock/Schenley circa 1980s)
  • 3 dashes Jeptha Creed Strawberry Ginger Bitters
  • 2 dashes Orange Bitters
  • Garnish: Expressed Orange Peel

Instructions:

  1. Combine the High-Rye Bourbon, French 43, Dry Vermouth, and both types of bitters in a cocktail mixing glass.
  2. Add ice and stir for 15–20 seconds for optimal chilling, integration, and dilution.
  3. Strain the mixture into a heavy rocks glass over a single large, clear ice cube.
  4. Express a fresh orange peel over the top of the glass to release the citrus oils, then drop it in.
  5. Use a cocktail smoker to infuse the drink with burning cherry wood smoke. Let the smoke settle to caramelize the oils.
  6. Serve, sip, and enjoy responsibly!

🚨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. 

#OldFashioned #SmokedCocktail #BourbonCocktail #CraftCocktails #BourbonJourney #WhiskeyGram #CocktailRecipe #Mixology #GreenRiverBourbon #HomeBartender #ThirstyThursday #VintageVermouth #BourbonLovers #CocktailTime #DrinkResponsibly

Try This Deep Red, Shimmering Rye Whiskey Boulevardier

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Welcome to Episode 71 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails on Your Bourbon Journey! As we approach Memorial Day weekend, we are crafting a cocktail designed for reflection, honor, and remembrance—The Honor Guard.

This patriotic, bold, and spirit-forward drink is a striking variation of the classic Boulevardier. Featuring a stunning, solemn, shimmering presentation and a deep-red appearance, it is the perfect whiskey-forward drink to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

In tonight’s episode, we use a powerhouse foundation: Rossville Union Store Pick Cask Strength Rye Whiskey at a muscle-building 111 proof. Instead of traditional sweet vermouth, we combine the bright, citrusy bitterness of Campari with the dense, rich blackcurrant notes of Merlet Crème de Cassis Liqueur. We tie the entire flavor profile together with five dashes of Jeptha Creed Strawberry Ginger Bitters for a sharp, fiery bite and a seasonal berry edge.

Please take a moment of silence this weekend for our fallen heroes, drink responsibly, and give this beautiful cocktail a try. Happy Memorial Day!


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The Honor Guard Recipe

  • 2 oz Rossville Union Cask Strength Rye Whiskey (or your favorite high-proof rye)
  • 0.75 oz Campari
  • 0.75 oz Merlet Cassis Liqueur
  • 5 Dashes Jeptha Creed Strawberry Ginger Bitters
  • Visual Flair: Red and white edible cocktail glitter

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prep the Glass: Add a dust of red and white edible glitter to the bottom of your mixing glass.
  2. Build: Pour in the Rossville Union Rye, Campari, Merlet Cassis, and 5 dashes of Jeptha Creed bitters.
  3. Chill & Activate: Add ice and stir vigorously for about 20 seconds to chill the spirits, open up the rye’s aromatic oils, and activate the stunning star-like shimmer.
  4. Serve: Strain over one large clear ice cube into a rocks glass. Enjoy responsibly!

Tasting Notes

  • Aroma: Rich dark berry sweetness perfectly balanced by bright, spicy rye.
  • Taste: Bold black pepper, complex herbal bitterness, and deep, luscious blackcurrant.
  • Finish: Lingering ginger heat backed by a structured, dry oak finish.

🚨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.

#YourBourbon Journey #CocktailRecipe #MemorialDay #RyeWhiskey #Boulevardier #Mixology #ThirstyThursday #CraftCocktails #WhiskeyForward #Campari #RossvilleUnion #HomeBartender #JepthaCreed #ShimmerCocktail #BourbonCommunity

The Velvet Root: A Sophisticated Root Beer Black Manhattan

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Experience a masterclass in “dark” flavors with The Velvet Root, a sophisticated, spirit-forward twist on the classic Black Manhattan. In Episode 70 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails, Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey breaks down this rich, earthy drink that balances the heavy-hitting Knob Creek Single Barrel Bourbon with the nostalgic botanical notes of Root Beer Whiskey.

Whether you love a traditional Manhattan or you’re looking for a cocktail with notes of charred oak, leather, and sarsaparilla, this recipe is for you. We dive deep into why the Averna Amaro provides that signature Sicilian silkiness and how a few dashes of molasses bitters create a savory, dark-sugar backbone that lingers on the finish.

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The Velvet Root Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz Knob Creek Single Barrel Bourbon
  • .75 oz Amaro Averna
  • .50 oz Rebel Root Beer Whiskey
  • 3 Dashes Molasses Bitters
  • 1 Dash Orange Bitters
  • Garnish: Luxardo Cherry

Instructions:

  1. Combine: Add the bourbon, amaro, root beer whiskey, and both bitters into a mixing glass.
  2. Chill: Fill the mixing glass with plenty of ice.
  3. Stir: Stir for 20–30 seconds until the glass is frosted and the drink is properly diluted.
  4. Strain: Double strain into a chilled coupe glass.
  5. Finish: Drop in a single Luxardo cherry and enjoy!

🚨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.

#BlackManhattan #BourbonCocktails #KnobCreek #Mixology #HomeBartender #ThirstyThursday #WhiskeyGram #AmaroAverna #CocktailRecipe #RootBeerWhiskey #BourbonJourney #ClassicCocktails #ManhattanTwist #DrinkResponsibly #CraftCocktails

Springtime in a Glass: The Dandelion Crown Bourbon Cocktail

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Celebrate Mother’s Day with the Dandelion Crown! 🥂🌼

Welcome back to Your Bourbon Journey for Episode 69 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails. Today, we are taking the legendary Kentucky classic—the Seelbach—and transforming it into a floral, effervescent masterpiece called The Dandelion Crown.

For this high-proof riff, we’ve swapped traditional orange liqueur for the graceful sweetness of Elderflower Liqueur and introduced a unique, savory element: Jeptha Creed Dandelion Bitters. This “star of the show” adds an earthy, herbaceous depth that perfectly balances a heavy-hitting Four Roses OBSV (126 Proof). Hand-selected by Master Distiller Brent Elliott, this bourbon brings vibrant notes of apricot, pear, and brown sugar that shine through the bubbles of a chilled Brut Champagne.

Whether you’re a “bubbles girl” or a bourbon enthusiast, this cocktail is springtime in a glass. It’s sophisticated, festive, and the perfect toast for Mother’s Day!

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📋 The Recipe: The Dandelion Crown

  • 1.5 oz Four Roses OBSV Single Barrel (126 Proof)
  • 0.75 oz Elderflower Liqueur
  • 4-5 dashes Jeptha Creed Dandelion Bitters
  • 2 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters (for that Mother’s Day pink hue)
  • 2-3 oz Chilled Dry Sparkling Wine (Brut Champagne)

🍸 Instructions

  1. Combine: Add your bourbon, elderflower liqueur, and both types of bitters to a mixing glass with a large ice block.
  2. Stir: Stir gently for 15–20 seconds to chill the ingredients and provide the necessary dilution for the 126-proof spirit.
  3. Strain: Pour into a chilled coupe or champagne flute.
  4. Top: Slowly top with your chilled Brut Champagne to maintain the festive bubbles.
  5. Serve: Serve without garnish to showcase the beautiful pink hue and clarity!

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🚨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 #YourBourbonJourney #FourRoses #MothersDayDrinks #ChampagneCocktail #SeelbachRiff #Mixology #WhiskeyGram #JepthaCreed #ElderflowerCocktail #ThirstyThursday #CocktailRecipe #BourbonLife #SparklingWine #DandelionCrown

Opulent Bourbon Cocktails: The Golden Jubilee Recipe

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Celebrate with me! 🥂 In honor of my birthday and Episode 68 of Thirsty Thursday, I’m dipping into the “Library” for a truly opulent pour. Meet The Golden Jubilee—a luxury Old Fashioned designed for milestones and high-proof treasures.

Tonight we are featuring the incredible Wenzel’s Packard Proof, a 16-year-old Kentucky single barrel (affectionately known as a “BuffTurkey” pour) sitting at a massive 126 proof. This bourbon is a total cherry bomb, and we’re elevating it with velvet textures and exotic spices to create a “Chewy” foundation that feels like a high-end dessert in a glass.

We’re swapping standard simple syrup for Gum Syrup to achieve that signature silky mouthfeel and adding Bluegrass 5-Spice Orange Bitters for a complex layer of star anise, clove, and cinnamon. To top it all off, we’re adding Edible Gold Glitter for a shimmering visual toast to the journey ahead!

In this video:

  • How to use Gum Syrup for a velvety cocktail texture.
  • Reviewing the 16-year Wenzel’s Packard Proof.
  • Tips for working with 5-spice bitters and edible luster dust.
  • A sneak peek at next week’s Mother’s Day cocktail: The Dandelion Crown!

📋 THE RECIPE: THE GOLDEN JUBILEE

Ingredients:

  • 2.5 oz Wenzel’s Packard Proof Bourbon (or your favorite 16yr+ Library Pour)
  • 0.25 oz Gum Syrup (for that velvety mouthfeel)
  • 1 Bar Spoon Demerara Syrup
  • 10 Drops Bluegrass 5-Spice Orange Bitters
  • 1 Pinch Edible Gold Glitter
  • Garnish: Gold-dusted Luxardo Cherry

Instructions:

  1. Add Gum Syrup, Demerara, and 5-spice bitters to a mixing glass.
  2. Pour in your luxury bourbon.
  3. Add a generous pinch of gold edible glitter.
  4. Fill with ice and stir thoroughly for about 25 seconds to chill and suspend the shimmer.
  5. Strain into a crystal rocks glass over a clear ice sphere.
  6. Garnish with a gold-luster Luxardo cherry and enjoy!

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🚨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 #OldFashioned #LuxuryCocktails #WenzelsBourbon #WhiskeyTube #CocktailRecipe #BirthdayDrink #BourbonJourney #Mixology #GoldCocktail #ThirstyThursday #BourbonReview #SingleBarrel #HomeBartender #LuxuryLifestyle

Tasting the Pineapple Express: High-Proof Bourbon Journey

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The “Not-Tiki” Tropical! | The Pineapple Express Bourbon Cocktail

Is it possible to have a tropical drink that still feels like a heavy-hitting bourbon classic? Today on Your Bourbon Journey, Rebecca is hopping on The Pineapple Express—a “Not-Tiki” cocktail that brings the heat in more ways than one!

She’s taking a bold Knob Creek Single Barrel (120 Proof) and pairing it with a Toasted Pineapple Jalapeno Syrup for a flavor profile that is sweet, smoky, and seriously spicy. With double-bitter action from Hella Ginger and Fee Brothers Habanero, this isn’t a beach drink—it’s a spirit-forward powerhouse.

In this episode, we explore:

  • The “Not-Tiki” concept: Keeping it tropical but bourbon-focused.
  • The 120-proof punch of Knob Creek Single Barrel.
  • How to balance intense habanero heat with toasted pineapple sweetness.
  • The slow-melting magic of large clear ice for high-proof builds.

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Direct from the vendor: TOASTED PINEAPPLE JALAPENO SIMPLE SYRUP 375ML – SMALL BATCH: https://www.toastedsimple.com/product/toasted-pineapple-jalapeno-small-batch-simple-syrup-375ml/ 

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The Build:

  • 2 oz High-Proof Bourbon (Knob Creek Single Barrel, 120 Proof)
  • .75 oz Toasted Pineapple Jalapeno Syrup
  • 2 dashes Hella Ginger Bitters
  • 1 dash Fee Brothers Habanero Bitters (for extra “express” heat)

Method: Stirred in a mixing glass and served over a large clear ice cube to keep it spirit-forward and slow-melting.

Garnish: A skewered pineapple wedge and/or a fresh jalapeño slice.

🚨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 #WhiskeyReview #PineappleExpress #YourBourbonJourney #KnobCreek #SpicyCocktails #BourbonTasting #CraftCocktails #HighProof #BourbonCommunity #NotTiki #WhiskeyGram #HomeBartender #BourbonLife #TropicalBourbon

Is This the Best Apple Brandy Cocktail? Hoosier Meets Caribbean 

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Indiana Heritage Meets Caribbean Spice in “The Orchard’s Journey”

Welcome back to Your Bourbon Journey! In Episode 66 of our Thirsty Thursday series, we are bridging the gap between the refined rows of the Huber family orchard in Indiana and the aggressive, tropical “hogo” funk of Jamaica.

Tonight, I’m showing you how to craft The Orchard’s Journey, a sophisticated, spirit-forward cocktail that features two powerhouse pours from Starlight Distillery: their 112-proof Apple Brandy Cask Finished Bourbon and their incredible 12-Year Estate Apple Brandy.

We’re adding a deep, jammy anchor with Merlet Cassis and a savory, spicy kick with 30 drops of Bittercube Jamaican #1 Bitters. If you love complex, dry, and wood-influenced cocktails, this “Funky Apple Sipper” is for you!

Join me as we explore:

  • The unique cinnamon-apple bridge of Starlight’s finished bourbon.
  • The transformed, caramelized profile of a 12-year-old estate brandy.
  • How to balance intense Jamaican spices (ginger, black pepper, allspice) in a stirred drink.
  • A “not-tiki” tropical teaser for next week!

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The Recipe: The Orchard’s Journey

  • 2 oz Starlight Bourbon Finished in Apple Brandy (112 Proof)
  • 0.75 oz Starlight 12-Year Estate Apple Brandy
  • 0.75 oz Merlet Cassis Liqueur
  • 30 Drops (3 Dashes) Bittercube Jamaican #1 Bitters
  • Garnish: Expressed Lemon Twist

Instructions:

  1. Combine all ingredients into a mixing glass.
  2. Add ice and stir for approximately 30 seconds until well-chilled and properly diluted.
  3. Strain into a pre-chilled coupe glass.
  4. Express a fresh lemon twist over the top and drop it into the glass.
  5. Cheers to the journey!

🚨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.

#YourBourbonJourney #StarlightDistillery #AppleBrandy #BourbonCocktails #CraftCocktails #HomeBartender #ThirstyThursday #WhiskeyEnthusiast #IndianaSpirits #CocktailRecipe #MerletCassis #Bittercube #DrinkResponsibly #SpicedCocktail #Mixology

The Library Meditation: A Savory Amaro-Forward Cocktail

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The Library Meditation: Exploring “The Spice Trader’s Bitter” | Episode 65

Forget “refreshing”—tonight we are seeking sophisticated complexity. In Episode 65 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails, Rebecca retreats into the library for a deep dive into ancient trade routes and bold botanicals. We’re crafting The Spice Trader’s Bitter, a savory, herbal, and deeply aromatic cocktail designed for true meditation.

The star of the show is the La Boîte Amaro from Cardinal Spirits, bringing unique notes of Szechuan peppercorn and star anise. We pair this with the “heirloom” personality of New Riff Balboa Rye, creating a pumpernickel and lemon-pepper foundation that stands up to the intense warmth of St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram. If you love amaro-forward drinks that lean into dry, peppery, and bitter-herb profiles, this is the build for you.

In this video, we discuss:

  • The unique “spice trade” profile of the La Boîte Amaro.
  • Why New Riff Balboa Rye is the perfect “bready” base for bold modifiers.
  • The “high note” impact of Cardamom bitters on dark, earthy flavors.
  • A full breakdown of the nose, palate, and long savory finish.

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The Build:

  • 2 oz New Riff Balboa Bottled-in-Bond Rye
  • .75 oz La Boîte Amaro
  • .25 oz St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram
  • 2 dashes Cardamom Bitters
  • Garnish: Expressed Orange Peel

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🚨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.

#YourBourbonJourney #CocktailRecipe #NewRiff #Amaro #WhiskeyTasting #BourbonCommunity #Mixology #AllspiceDram #BalboaRye #CraftCocktails #HomeBartender #SpiceTradersBitter #WhiskeyReview #CardinalSpirits #BotanicalJourney