Crimson Trace Recipe

Prepare and measure

Chill a coupe or rocks glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer briefly. Measure out 2 oz Buffalo Trace Bourbon, 0.75 oz tart cherry liqueur, 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice, and 0.25 oz simple syrup (use only if you prefer a slightly sweeter drink).

Build and shake

Add the bourbon, tart cherry liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup (if using), and 2 dashes cherry bark vanilla bitters into a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker with ice (about 3/4 full). Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 12–15 seconds, until the shaker is very cold to the touch and a good dilution is achieved.

Strain

Discard ice from the chilled glass. Double-strain the shaken cocktail into the chilled coupe or over a large rock in a rocks glass using a Hawthorne and fine mesh strainer to remove small ice shards and any pulp from the lemon juice.

Garnish and serve

Express a lemon twist over the drink by holding the twist skin-side down above the glass and giving it a quick squeeze to release oils, then rub the rim with the twist and drop it in (optional). Skewer a Luxardo or brandied cherry and rest it on the rim or float it in the cocktail. Serve immediately.

Notes on balance

Taste before serving: if the cocktail is too tart, add an additional 0.25 oz simple syrup and stir briefly over ice to incorporate; if too sweet, add 0.25 oz more bourbon or a few drops of lemon. The cherry bark vanilla bitters are aromatic — adjust between 1–3 dashes to preference.