Driveway Drinks: Cold Brew Old Fashioned
Did you know today is National Coffee Day?
Who is paying for this day? How does one get it on a calendar? A calendar that, somehow I hear about on Twitter, or Facebook, or in this case an Instagram informing me of all the places you can get locally roasted and brewed coffee specifically on Friday, September 29! I need to know who runs the calendar. Is it Russia? Is just joking about Russia going to put my blog on some sort of weird watch-list? I'll let you know if my traffic spikes...
Whoever orchestrates such holidays-- I'm all too happy to participate. Today--with the days for cold coffee enjoyment quickly waning-- we combine the roasty smooth goodness of cold brew, with the sweet aged taste of bourbon.
Pretty. Simple.
This drink isn't wholly original (and not like, generic Google original, I mean in my personal realm of knowledge original. I doubt anything is 100% original anymore these days), it's inspired by a local coffee shop who makes an espresso old fashioned, but it's sans booze and more to capitalize on the subtle flavor notes a simple espresso can bring, combined with bitters and orange. Adding bourbon to it is practically a given for an afternoon cocktail. I think it's perfect for today (the national coffee day being a lovely coincidence). We've gotten past our 90 degree heatwave, and this morning woke up chilly and in the 40s. It's a slow sipper, something to savor the flavor on-- but isn't exactly going full bore into winter. The silky cold brew and bourbon play so well off of each other, it's a no brainer that brewers started aging their coffee stouts in bourbon barrels. I'm all too happy to sit on the driveway, glass in hand, sipping this slowly and welcoming in fall. Will you join me?
Cold Brew Old Fashioned
makes 1
Ingredients
1.5 oz cold brew coffee (cold brew is essential because it's going to be a lot smoother than traditional brewed coffee)
1.5 oz bourbon of your choice (as you can see by the almost empty bottle in my pictures, I'm a fan of Bulleit. Don't skimp here though, get something you like to sip)
1 tsp sugar
2 dashes bitters (you can use Agnostura or Orange bitters, whichever you prefer)
Slice of orange peel
large ice cubes or ice ball
Method
In a highball glass, mix sugar and bitters with a spoon until combined. Add bourbon, cold brew, and stir until sugar is dissolved. Carefully add ice and orange peel, give another gentle stir. Sip and enjoy.
