Blue Note Juke Joint Recipe

Chill glass

Place a rocks glass or lowball in the freezer for 5–10 minutes or fill it with ice and set aside to chill while you build the cocktail.

Prepare honey simple syrup (if not ready)

Combine equal parts honey and warm water (e.g., 1/4 cup honey + 1/4 cup hot water). Stir until fully combined and let cool. Measure out 0.5 oz for the cocktail.

Build and shake

In a cocktail shaker, add 2 oz bourbon, 0.5 oz blue curaçao, 0.25 oz orange liqueur (optional), 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice, 0.5 oz honey simple syrup, and 2 dashes aromatic bitters. Fill the shaker with ice (about 1 cup) and shake vigorously for 12–15 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted.

Strain

Discard the ice from the chilled glass (if used). Fine-strain or double-strain the cocktail into the chilled rocks glass over one large ice cube or fresh ice. The blue curaçao will tint the drink a cool blue; the bourbon provides warmth under the color.

Express oils: Hold a lemon twist over the drink and give it a firm pinch to release the oils across the surface, then rub the twist on the glass rim and drop it in.

Add a Luxardo or brandied cherry on a pick and rest it on the edge or drop into the drink for a sweet counterpoint.

Optional smoked orange peel: If using, warm an orange peel over a small torch or candle, then twist it over the cocktail to capture smoke/essential oils and quickly drop it in or wave it over the drink for a brief smoky aroma.

Serve immediately and provide a short stir so the colors and flavors marry as the ice melts slightly.