Turkish Tobacco Bitters

How to Make the Ultimate Halloween Bourbon Drink

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Welcome to Episode 94 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails! With Halloween just around the corner, we are mixing up a brooding, atmospheric sour: The Widow’s Veil.

Inspired by dark, moody autumn favorites, this cocktail takes the classic New York Sour profile and gives it a haunting twist. Anchored by the robust, 115-proof power of Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style bourbon, this build holds up effortlessly against rich demerara syrup, tart fresh lemon juice, and the dark, velvety fruit of Merlet Crème de Cassis.

We accent the drink with Fee Brothers Turkish Tobacco Bitters for warm clove and sun-cured leaf aromatics, finishing with a dramatic, layered float of Baker-Bird Cabernet Sauvignon aged in bourbon barrels.

Topped with a rich Luxardo maraschino cherry, this cocktail delivers a dynamic, layered sip of dry red wine, dark berries, rich cocoa, and lingering charred oak spice.

Please drink responsibly! Have a fabulous Thirsty Thursday, a wonderful Halloween weekend, and tune in next week for Episode 95 as we kick off our November cocktail theme!

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The Recipe: The Widow’s Veil

Ingredients:

  • 2.0 oz Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Bourbon (115 Proof)
  • 0.50 oz Fresh Lemon Juice (Double Strained)
  • 0.50 oz Demerara Syrup
  • 0.25 oz Merlet Crème de Cassis
  • 3 dashes Fee Brothers Turkish Tobacco Bitters
  • 0.50 oz Dry Red Wine Float (Baker-Bird Bourbon-Barrel-Aged Cabernet Sauvignon)

Tasting Notes:

  • Aroma: Dark blackcurrant, sun-cured tobacco leaf, and rich red wine tannins lead, accented by bright citrus oils and toasted oak.
  • Taste: A dynamic layered profile—the berry-forward, tannic Cabernet greets the palate first before giving way to tart lemon, rich cassis, dark chocolate, and the high-proof baking spice of Old Forester 1920.
  • Finish: Long, warm, and brooding with lingering clove, pipe tobacco, and dark black cherry.

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

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Autumn in the Rickhouse: The Only Fall Cocktail You Need

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Step inside the rack house this October with the ultimate fall whiskey sour: “Autumn in the Rickhouse.” 🍂🥃

In Episode 91, we pivot from last week’s stirred Manhattan riff into a vibrant, textural autumn sour designed to capture the earthy barrel oak, rich sugars, and crisp chill of walking through a Kentucky rickhouse in autumn.

To build a drink that punches through ice dilution and citrus, we anchor the shaker with 120-proof Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve. Its robust profile of charred oak, roasted peanut brittle, and deep caramel creates an unshakeable backbone. We balance that heat with an equal-parts modifier split: fresh strained lemon juice for crisp acidity, bourbon barrel-aged maple syrup for woodsy sweetness, and Amaro Nonino Quintessentia for alpine herbs and bittersweet burnt orange.

To take it into true rickhouse territory, we introduce a dual-bitters split—bright Fee Brothers Plum Bitters for orchard stone fruit, paired with Turkish Tobacco Bitters for cured leaf and seasoned oak staves—all crowned with freshly grated nutmeg.

Drop a comment below: What’s your go-to high-proof bourbon for fall cocktails? 

🎃 NEXT WEEK: Episode 92 kicks off our Halloween cocktail series with “The Phantom’s Cloak”! Be sure to subscribe and hit the bell so you don’t miss it!

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🥃 RECIPE: AUTUMN IN THE RICKHOUSE

  • 2.0 oz Knob Creek Single Barrel Bourbon (120 Proof)
  • 0.50 oz Fresh Lemon Juice (fine-strained)
  • 0.50 oz Bourbon Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup
  • 0.50 oz Amaro Nonino Quintessentia (or Amaro Montenegro)
  • 2 dashes Fee Brothers Plum Bitters
  • 2 dashes Turkish Tobacco Bitters
  • Garnish: Freshly grated whole nutmeg

🚨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. 

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How To Make The Equinox Smoke & Spice Old Fashioned

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Welcome to Episode 89 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails on Your Bourbon Journey! Tonight, Rebecca crafts the Equinox Smoke & Spice, a dark, spirit-forward smoked Old Fashioned created to welcome the crisp nights of the autumn equinox.

Anchored by the bold 27% high-rye backbone and oily viscosity of Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel, this recipe layers subtle barrel-aged sweetness with aromatic complexity. Sweetened with just a whisper of bourbon barrel aged maple syrup and infused with Fee Brothers Turkish Tobacco and Aztec Chocolate bitters, this build finishes under a rich canopy of fragrant cherry wood smoke.

Whether you are hosting friends by the firepit or looking to elevate your home bar cocktail smoking technique, this balanced, non-sweet, spirit-forward build is an absolute must-try for bourbon lovers.

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🍂 Cocktail Recipe: Equinox Smoke & Spice

  • 2.0 oz Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel Bourbon
  • 1 barspoon (0.15 oz) Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup
  • 2 dashes Fee Brothers Turkish Tobacco Bitters
  • 2 dashes Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate Bitters
  • Wood Smoke: Cherry wood chips

🥃 Instructions:

  1. In a mixing glass, combine the bourbon, barrel-aged maple syrup, Turkish tobacco bitters, and Aztec chocolate bitters.
  2. Add dense ice and stir thoroughly until well chilled and properly diluted.
  3. Strain into a double rocks glass over a large clear ice cube.
  4. Place your cocktail smoking chimney top on the glass, fill with cherry wood chips, and ignite with your torch.
  5. Allow the smoke to infuse into the spirit, remove the top, and enjoy the rich hearth aromas!

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

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Turkish Tobacco Manhattan: The Ultimate Winter Cocktail 

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🥃 The Turkish Tobacco Manhattan (Rye Twist) | December Cocktail Series Part 1/5 | Thirsty Thursday E47

Welcome to Episode 47 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails and the exciting start of our five-part December Cocktail Series!

Tonight, we’re kicking off the holidays with a sophisticated, deep, and woodsy cocktail: The Turkish Tobacco Manhattan. This is more than just a twist on a classic; it’s a slow-sipper built for contemplation and chilly nights.

We anchor this drink with 2 oz of Sagamore Spirit Small Batch Rye Whiskey for a fantastic backbone of spice and pepper. We maintain the classic 2:1 ratio using Valdespino Sweet Vermouth, which adds a rich, almost savory depth.

The magic is in the bitters blend! We use 3 dashes of Turkish Tobacco Bitters for that deep, smoky, earthy base note (it’s all about the aroma of the cured leaf!) and 2 dashes of Cherry Bitters to provide a crucial, bright ‘lift.’

For the final touch of luxury and aroma, we smoke the coupe glass with Cherry Wood before straining. This creates a woodsy, “fireplace” aroma that ties the whole concept together. 

This is a complex, flavorful, and perfect welcome to your holiday entertaining!

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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.

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The Kentucky Coffee: A Recipe for Bourbon Lovers

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In episode 9 of Thirsty Thursday Bourbon Cocktails, we present an exciting twist on the classic Irish Coffee that is destined to be your go-to coffee specialty – the Kentucky Coffee Cocktail! You’ll discover that the Kentucky Coffee boasts a vibrant aroma and delivers a smooth, flavorful experience, where the bold bitterness of black coffee is perfectly balanced by the sweet notes of vanilla and caramel from the Kentucky Bourbon. With a strong, freshly brewed coffee as its foundation, this cocktail packs a punch. The Kentucky Bourbon infuses a smooth, slightly spicy warmth that complements the coffee’s boldness brilliantly. Adding Tobacco Bitters enhances the earthy characteristics of the Bourbon, while a touch of caramel and Bourbon Cream introduces the ideal sweetness, perfectly balancing the coffee’s assertiveness with the bourbon’s warmth. Finally, a velvety layer of whipped cream crowns this drink, adding a delightful creamy texture. In this video, we will expertly guide you through the cocktail-making process with clear, step-by-step instructions, empowering you to craft this delightful coffee—ideal for sharing with friends or indulging solo.

RECIPE: 

  • Caramel to drizzle into the coffee cup
  • 1.5 oz. of Kentucky Bourbon
  • 1 oz of bourbon cream
  • 3-4 Dashes of Turkish Tobacco Bitters
  • 4 oz of fresh brewed coffee
  • Garnish with whipped cream and freshly grated nutmeg

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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.

Kentucky Tobacco Sour: A Unique Spin on the Classic Whiskey Sour

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In episode 8 of Thirsty Thursday Bourbon Cocktails, we’re crafting the ultimate bourbon cocktail set to become your new favorite: the Kentucky Tobacco Sour! My inspiration struck at a bourbon pairing dinner where a chef used Turkish Tobacco Bitters in the appetizer, leaving me completely captivated by the rich aromas and earthy flavors.

The very next day, I seized a bottle of Fee Brothers Turkish Tobacco Bitters, eager to explore its potential. However, I couldn’t find a bourbon-based cocktail that matched my flavor aspirations. So, I put my spin on the classic Whiskey Sour—using Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and a splash of Fee Brothers Turkish Tobacco Bitters.

The result is a delightful fragrance that evokes tobacco leaves—warm, complex, earthy, subtly sweet, and intriguingly floral. The bitters’ notes of nutmeg and clove create a robust cocktail experience. After testing several versions, Wayne and I are confident you’ll love this Kentucky Tobacco Sour as much as we do!

In this video, we will guide you through the cocktail-making process with clear, step-by-step instructions so you can confidently create this exquisite drink—perfect for sharing with friends or savoring solo.

RECIPE: 

  • 2 oz. of bourbon
  • 1 oz. of Sweet & Sour Mix (or equal parts lemon juice & simple syrup)
  • 3 Dashes of Turkish Tobacco Bitters
  • 6 Dashes of Fee Brothers Fee Foam (or one egg white)
  • Garnish with 3 Dashes of Turkish Tobacco Bitters

DIRECTIONS:

  • Add 2 oz. bourbon
  • Add 1 oz. of Sweet & Sour Mix
  • Add 3 Dashes of Turkish Tobacco Bitters
  • Stir in mixing glass until chilled
  • Pour into shaker dry (with no ice)
  • Add 6 Dashes of Fee Brothers Fee Foam
  • Shake for up to 1 minute
  • Pour into Coupe Glass
  • Garnish with 3 Dashes of Turkish Tobacco Bitters

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