Old Forester Old Fashioned
Today is National Cocktail Day, y’all. Now, I’m not usually one for these made-up internet holidays, and these days I’d rather sip my bourbon neat rather than mix up a cocktail. But, it was such a lovely afternoon to sit on the porch and enjoy an Old Fashioned.
The Old Fashioned claims its roots in the late 19th century, at Louisville’s famed Pendennis Club. I’ve heard it called Louisville’s official cocktail, and the official drink of Thurby. Whatever you call it, the sweet syrup, tart bitters, strong bourbon and hint of orange make for a lovely cocktail. You can sweeten it with a wheated bourbon or you can add a high-proof pour to even out the edges. It’s usually a great sipper, unless your bartender goes overboard with the bitters.
The best Old Fashioned I ever drank was during an interview and tasting experience. Jackie Zykan, the Master Taster at Old Forester, made the perfect OldFo Old Fashioned as we talked and tasted at the Brown-Forman Shively Warehouse. While this was kind of a once-in-a lifetime experience — trust me when I say that Jackie is one of the coolest, most knowledgeable, and all-around awesome people you’ll ever meet and I can only dream of being a badass like she is— we can all try her recipe at home.
The Perfect Old Fashioned Recipe, via Old Forester
INGREDIENTS
2 oz. Old Forester 100 Proof
0.5 oz. Demerara Syrup (2:1)
2 dashes Angostura™ Bitters
Combine ingredients in mixing glass. Stir with ice. Strain over ice in a double old fashioned glass. Garnish with lemon and orange peel.
Cheers, y’all!
Corner Restaurant & Bar
Louisville's newest hotel bar offers unique flavors and amazing craft cocktails!
One of the questions I'm asked most frequently is "Where is a really great hotel in Louisville? I'd like to stay in a nice hotel with good food and a good bar."
Of course, my answer is that the perfect Louisville hotel varies wildly upon your destination, purpose for traveling, and budget. My new favorite to add to the list is the brand-new Downtown Louisville Aloft, especially Corner Bar & Restaurant, across from Whiskey Row.
My beau and I visited Corner on a recent Saturday afternoon. The lively crowd were clearly still celebrating a U of L win from earlier that day -- your Cards ticket stub serves as a ticket for one free drink at Corner! -- and the mood was festive and fun. We may have even seen a local Congressman in the crowd...
The coasters at Corner feature my favorite local mural!
We sat down for a drink and some appetizers, and were impressed by the attention to detail. The whiskey menu was broken down by distillery. We ordered a pair of Old-Fashioneds. Mine, with Maker's Mark, featured delightful details like house-made maraschino cherries. Bob's, with Woodford Reserve, paired the whiskey's high vanilla note with the orange peel garnish for a deliciously smooth finish.
We ordered a pair of appetizers from the Game Day Menu. The beer cheese fondue from the three dips and chips trio was outstanding, but the real star was the brussels sprouts with candied jalapeno and apple vinaigrette.
We then moved up to the bar for a cocktail lesson from Ashley, Corner's resident mixologist. Let me tell you, this lady knows what she's doing.
Ashley worked with her patrons' flavor profiles to create drinks she thought they'd enjoy. She put so much care into every detail of the drinks, from basics like bloody marys or pina coladas on up to more complex libations.
The presentation was stunning, and the cocktails were amazing.
Thanks so much to Corner for the opportunity to come visit! We'll definitely be back soon!
The HerKentucky Guide to Speakeasy Louisville: St. Charles Exchange
Welcome to the final installment of the HerKentucky Guide to Speakeasy Louisville! On Thursdays throughout the fall, we've traveled back to the Jazz Age in the Derby City, when the nation's Prohibition laws didn't quench the collective thirst for Kentucky Bourbon. We've channeled our inner Daisy Buchanans and dance the Charleston at Louisville's finest establishments. And, of course, we've taken a sip or two of the native drink that kept the city's spirits high. Since we began our tour with a Speakeasy, it only seems logical to end at one as well!
St. Charles Exchange is located in one of Downtown Louisville's oldest buildings, on the site of a former bourbon distillery. Named in homage to the historical St. Charles Hotel, the focal point of this posh restaurant is an elaborate bar built to resemble an early 20th century hotel lobby bar. The results are pretty spectacular.
And, oh my goodness, the hand-crafted cocktails. The old-fashioned, made with Old Forester and lemon and orange oils, is so delicate and balanced. It would be worth breaking Prohibition laws to order one, that's for sure!
I hope you've enjoyed our journey through 1920s Louisville! Coming soon -- a trip to the Guilded Age!