Savoy Rush

My hometown West Hartford, Connecticut is not short on happy hour options. However, there is one drink that my mom and I are willing to pay full price for; the Savoy Rush from Savoy Pizzeria. As someone who tends towards the fruity, vodka-based end of the cocktail spectrum, I found myself surprised by my affinity for this delicious bourbon drink. The Savoy Rush combines lemon juice, Maker’s Mark bourbon, and hot honey to create a drink that’s oaky and bright, with a touch of spice. An essential component of this brilliantly simple cocktail is the oversized ice cube it’s served with. Make a few cubes to ensure your drink stays ice cold until the last drop!

Serves 2.

·      ½ cup hot honey (such as Mike’s Hot Honey)

·       1 lemon

·      1 cup water

·      4 ounces bourbon (such as Maker’s Mark)

·      2 oversized ice cubes

1.     Using a vegetable peeler or sharp paring knife, peel the lemon length wise to create two long peels. Halve and juice the lemon.

2.     Combine lemon juice, water, and hot honey in a small sauce pan over medium-high heat. Stir until the honey has dissolved and the liquid is reduced by half. Set aside and let cool completely.

3.     In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine 4 ounces bourbon with 1 ounce of the lemon-hot-honey syrup. Shake vigorously.

4.     Prepare two whiskey glasses with an oversized ice cube in each. Twist the lemon peel gently over each glass to release some of the citrus oil. Strain and split the bourbon mixture evenly between the two glasses. Garnish with the lemon peel and serve cold.