Blanton's Gold Recipe

Chill glass (optional)

If you prefer a colder drink with less dilution, place the Old-Fashioned glass in the freezer for 5–10 minutes or fill it with ice water while you prepare the cocktail, then discard the ice water before serving.

Measure and combine

Using a jigger, measure 2 oz Blanton's Gold bourbon and pour into a mixing glass or directly into the chilled Old-Fashioned glass if you prefer minimal stirring. Add 0.25 oz (1/4 oz) simple syrup and 2 dashes Angostura bitters.

Stir with ice

If using a mixing glass: add enough ice to the mixing glass to come near the top, stir gently with a bar spoon for about 20–30 seconds (15–20 full strokes) until the mixture is well chilled and slightly diluted — the glass should feel noticeably cold. If building in the serving glass: add one large clear ice cube or sphere and stir 10–15 seconds to chill and integrate.

Transfer and garnish

If you stirred in a mixing glass, strain the chilled cocktail into the Old-Fashioned glass over a single large ice cube or sphere. Express the oils from an orange peel over the surface by holding it skin-side down about 2–3 inches above the drink and giving it a sharp twist, then rub the peel around the rim and drop it into the glass as garnish.

Serve immediately. Sip slowly to appreciate the nuanced flavors of the Blanton's Gold — cinnamon, dried fruit, honeyed oak — balanced by the light sweetness of the simple syrup and the aromatic bitters.

If you made your own simple syrup: combine equal parts granulated sugar and water in a small saucepan (e.g., 1/2 cup sugar + 1/2 cup water). Heat gently while stirring until the sugar fully dissolves. Cool completely before measuring for the cocktail. Store in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks.

To create a clean orange twist: use a sharp vegetable peeler to remove a strip of peel about 1/2" to 3/4" wide and 2–3 inches long, avoiding the white pith as much as possible.