By Aimee Botkins
The sun bleeds out behind the mountain and the foothills fall quiet. This is the hour that whiskey was made for. Stacking glasses like spent brass, it’s time for a drink. Tonight, the bottle is Horse Soldier Barrel Strength, a bourbon with a story as hard-earned as the evening itself.
Everyone has an evening ritual. Dinner, chores, prep for the next day and, for many, a drink. Whether it’s beer, a cocktail, or a high-proof rye served neat, we all have our own version of a sundowner. I’ve always loved the ritual of making cocktails or preparing a drink. Glass selection to ingredients, it’s a dance from the whiskey closet to the bar. What have I got in there that’s new? Better yet, what have I got that’s old?
On the best evenings, I find this one is always worth revisiting. A whiskey sour with a campfire soul, it’s my take on the traditional Sundowner; the cocktail born in the bushveld of South Africa, meant to mark the close of day. The ritual hasn’t changed: good company, a long view, and a drink to toast the sun’s last light. The tradition endures, even if the ingredients change.
We like Horse Soldier Barrel Strength Bourbon for this drink. At 117.7 proof, this wheated bourbon brings warmth to a cold cocktail. The honey and citrus aromas on the nose blend well with the fresh lemon juice. That honey note carries over on the palate, lending some complexity and depth to the direct sweetness of the maple syrup. This pour carries a woodiness to it that really sings when smoke is added overtop, a final flourish that ties the drink to its campfire inspiration.
Campfire Whiskey Sour
- 2.5 ounces Horse Soldier Barrel Strength Bourbon
- .5 ounces fresh lemon juice
- .5 ounces Barrel Aged Maple Syrup
Add the bourbon, lemon juice, and syrup into a shaker filled with ice. Shake for several seconds and strain into a glass. There are a myriad of methods for smoking a cocktail. I prefer a lid-style smoker as opposed to a cloche or dome. The lid allows for the smoke to pour directly over the inside of the glass and the cocktail for a more intense smoke experience. The cold glass and chilled drink allow the smoke to cling, invoking the spirit of a warm campfire on a cool autumn evening.
When the smoke fades and your glass runs low, raise what’s left to the day you left behind you. Work, noise, good company.
Drinks run dry and smoke drifts, but the ritual endures.
