Restaurants›FireWorks Pizza - Leesburg›Basil Hayden Recipe

Basil Hayden Recipe

Inspired by FireWorks Pizza - Leesburg

Time10m

Serves1

Make Basil Hayden Recipe in just 10m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Cocktail

2 oz Basil Hayden bourbon1 oz Sweet vermouth1/2 oz Amaro (e.g., Averna or Montenegro)2 dashes Angostura bitters1/4 oz Simple syrup (1:1)4 leaves Fresh basil leaves (for muddling)1 to taste Ice (large cubes or spheres)1 twist Orange peel (for garnish)

Method

Cocktail

Prepare glass

Chill a rocks glass by filling it with ice and set aside while you build the cocktail.

Muddle basil

In a mixing glass, place the fresh basil leaves and the simple syrup. Gently press and twist the basil with a muddler 6–8 times — you want to release aromatic oils without shredding the leaves into bits.

Build and stir

Add Basil Hayden bourbon, sweet vermouth, amaro, and Angostura bitters to the mixing glass with the muddled basil. Fill the mixing glass with ice and stir briskly for 20–30 seconds (about 20–30 full revolutions) until well chilled and slightly diluted.

Strain and serve

Discard the ice from the chilled rocks glass. Double strain the cocktail into the glass over a single large ice cube (or large ice sphere) to remove basil bits. If you prefer more herb aroma, fine-strain only partially so a little basil rides in the drink.

Garnish

Express the oils from the orange peel over the drink by holding the peel skin-side down above the glass and giving it a firm twist, then rub the rim with the peel and drop it into the cocktail. Optionally slap a fresh basil leaf and lightly float it on top for added aroma.

Serve immediately and enjoy.