What is in a granddad drink?

Answered by Daniel Conrad

In a granddad drink, you will typically find a combination of ingredients that evoke a sense of nostalgia and classic flavors. The drink is often made with , bitters, and a few additional elements to enhance the taste. Let's break down the ingredients and steps to create this delightful concoction.

Ingredients:
– Cherry
– Orange slice
– Bitters
– Bourbon
– Cascara Vanilla

Step 1: Muddling the Cherry and Orange Slice
To begin, take a cherry and an orange slice and muddle them together in a mixing glass. Muddling involves gently crushing the fruit to release its juices and flavors. This step helps to infuse the drink with the fruity essence and adds a touch of sweetness.

Step 2: Adding Bitters
Once the cherry and orange slice are muddled, it's time to add the bitters. Bitters are a concentrated liquid made from botanicals, herbs, and spices. They add depth and complexity to the drink, enhancing the overall flavor profile. In this case, you would typically use around four drops of bitters to balance out the sweetness of the fruit.

Step 3: Incorporating Bourbon and Cascara Vanilla
Next, it's time to add the star of the show – Bourbon. Bourbon is a type of American known for its rich, caramel-like flavors and smoothness. It brings warmth and depth to the granddad drink, creating a well-rounded taste experience.

To further elevate the drink, the addition of Cascara Vanilla is recommended. Cascara is the dried husk of the cherry, and when infused with vanilla, it adds a subtle sweetness and delicate aroma. This combination complements the other flavors in the drink, creating a harmonious blend.

Step 4: Stirring
After all the ingredients are in the mixing glass, it's time to stir. Stirring helps to mix the flavors together, ensuring that they are evenly distributed throughout the drink. Typically, you would stir for around 10-15 seconds, allowing the ice to slightly dilute the mixture and chill the drink.

Step 5: Straining
To serve the granddad drink, you will need to strain it. Using a Hawthorne strainer, hold back the ice and fruit while pouring the drink into a glass. This step ensures that only the liquid is transferred, leaving behind any solid bits.

And there you have it – a detailed breakdown of what goes into a granddad drink. This classic cocktail offers a blend of fruity sweetness from the muddled cherry and orange, balanced by the warmth and complexity of Bourbon. The addition of bitters and Cascara Vanilla elevates the flavors, resulting in a drink that is both nostalgic and delicious. Enjoy!