Stirred Recipe

Combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a gentle simmer.

Add 2 tea bags and the split vanilla bean (or 1 tsp vanilla extract if using). Reduce heat to low and simmer very gently for 5 minutes to infuse. Do not boil vigorously.

Remove from heat and let the syrup steep for 10–15 minutes for stronger tea and vanilla flavor.

Remove tea bags and vanilla bean. If you used a vanilla bean, scrape the seeds into the syrup and discard the pod. Cool to room temperature, then transfer to a sealed container and refrigerate. Yields ~8 oz; use 0.5 oz per cocktail.

Chill a coupe or rocks glass by filling with ice and setting aside, or place in freezer for a few minutes.

Express citrus oils: hold the lemon zest strip over a mixing glass with the outer (colored) side facing down. Give it a firm twist toward the glass to express oils across the surface. Rub the expressed side along the rim if desired, then set the strip aside for garnish.

Repeat the same express motion with the orange zest strip, catching oils over the mixing glass. Reserve the orange zest for garnish (or use the optional orange peel twist).

In a mixing glass, add 1 oz Golden Hour Cognac, 1 oz aged whiskey, 0.5 oz vanilla tea syrup, and 2 dashes Angostura bitters.

Fill the mixing glass with large ice cubes (about 3 pieces) and stir gently but thoroughly for 20–30 seconds until the exterior of the glass is cold and the cocktail is properly diluted (roughly 15–25% dilution). Aim for smooth, integrated texture and a slight sheen.

Discard ice from the chilled serving glass and strain the stirred cocktail into the glass over one large clear ice cube (for a rocks glass) or neat into a chilled coupe, depending on presentation.

Garnish: place the expressed lemon and orange zest over the surface of the drink and give one final short twist over the cocktail to release any remaining oils. Optionally, add an orange peel twist on the rim or floated atop the drink.

Serve immediately. Sip slowly to appreciate the interplay of cognac, aged whiskey, vanilla-tea sweetness, citrus oils and bitters.