Eight Elite Recipe
Make Eight Elite Recipe in just 12m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Cocktail Base
Garnish & Finish
Optional: Smoke & Aromatics
Method
Cocktail Base
- 1
Chill glass
Place a rocks glass in the freezer or fill it with ice and cold water while you build the cocktail to chill for 5–10 minutes.
- 2
Measure and combine
In a mixing glass or cocktail shaker without ice, pour 2 oz bourbon, 0.5 oz aged dark rum, 0.75 oz sweet vermouth, 0.25 oz orange curaçao, and 0.25 oz pure maple syrup. Add 2 dashes Angostura bitters and 1 dash orange bitters.
- 3
Add ice and stir
Fill the mixing glass with large, clear ice cubes (enough to come near the top). Stir gently but thoroughly for 30–45 seconds (about 20–30 complete turns) until the mixture is well chilled and slightly diluted — the glass should feel very cold and the outside of the mixing glass may frost.
- 4
Prepare serving glass
Discard ice/water from the chilled rocks glass and place a single large ice cube in the glass.
- 5
Strain
Using a Hawthorne or julep strainer, double-strain the chilled cocktail from the mixing glass into the prepared rocks glass over the large ice cube.
Garnish & Finish
- 6
Express orange oils
Hold an orange peel about 3–4 inches above the cocktail with the outer skin facing down. Firmly pinch the peel to express the oils over the surface of the drink, drawing a line across the top so oils spray onto the liquid.
- 7
Rub and drop
Rub the expressed peel around the rim of the glass to add aroma, then rest the peel on the rim or float it on the surface. Add one Luxardo or brandied cherry on a pick and place it beside or on the cube.
Optional: Smoke & Aromatics
- 8
Smoke (optional)
If you want a smoky presentation, place the served cocktail under a small cloche or inverted mixing glass. Ignite a small wood chip or cinnamon stick and capture the smoke under the cloche for 10–20 seconds, then let the smoke sit for 20–30 seconds before removing the cloche at the table to release an aromatic plume. Alternatively, use a handheld smoker to infuse a quick smoke.