Honey Bourbon Cocktail

Honey Bourbon Cocktail RecipeThe Honey Bourbon Cocktail combines bourbon with grapefruit and tangerine juice to bring a splash of sunshine in winter. This deliciously citrus, holiday drink is easy to prepare.

We have included a recipe if you wish to make your own Vanilla Liqueur. Note that it takes at least two weeks to infuse the brandy. But, if you get started quickly, there is enough time to have it ready for the winter holidays. Vanilla liqueur also makes a great gift.

If you want your cocktail sooner, try substituting the vanilla liqueur with a teaspoon of the vanilla syrup. The vanilla syrup still takes a little time to do ahead, but with some planning can be ready for cocktail hour! And if you want it simpler still, add a splash of Torani Vanilla Syrup.

Honey Bourbon Cocktail
Yields 1 cocktail

Ingredients
2 ounces freshly squeezed white grapefruit juice
1 ounces freshly squeezed tangerine juice
1 1/2 ounces good-quality bourbon
1/2 ounce vanilla liqueur
1/4 ounce honey
Tangering wedge for garnish

Directions
Combine grapefruit juice, tangerine juice, bourbon, vanilla liqueur, and honey in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and pour into a cocktail glass over ice. Garnish with a fresh tangerine wedge.

Vanilla Liqueur Recipe
Ingredients
2 3/4 cups good quality brandy
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup (2 ounces) simple syrup
2 whole Madagascar vanilla beans

Directions
Split vanilla beans open by slicing lengthwise, and flatten. Place the vanilla beans in a quart size glass mason jar. Add the brown sugar, simple syrup and brandy. Swirl the contents of the jar until all the sugar has dissolved. Put the lid on the mason jar, and store it in a cool, dark place (like a closed kitchen cabinet or the fridge.

Swirl the contents of jar every day for minimum of two weeks. At the end of two weeks, begin to test by tasting for vanilla. The mixture can continue to infuse for up to four weeks.

Once you are happy with the flavor, remove the vanilla beans by straining the mixture through cheesecloth or a damp coffee filter. Straining the liquid will remove any crystallized sugar and vanilla bean particles.

Pour the liqueur into back into the original brandy bottle or mason jar. The Vanilla Liqueur will be shelf stable.

Notes
If you wish to speed up the amount of time it takes to infuse brandy (for example to make holiday gifts), increase the number of vanilla beans to three.

You can also save the beans to make vanilla sugar.

Decant the Vanilla Liqueur into decorative bottles to make great gifts.

This stuff is great on ice cream, and added to pie filling.

Vanilla Syrup Recipe
Ingredients
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise

Directions
Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan set over medium high heat, and bring just to a boil, while stirring continuously.

Remove the pan from the heat, and add the vanilla bean. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.

Strain into a glass bottle, and keep refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

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