Johnny’s Gold Brick in Houston has been serving its cherry syrup–laced Old-Fashioned “shot” for nine years. “It was conceived as a sort of high/low boilermaker, where the shot itself would be a concentrated classic cocktail,” explains bartender Justin Ware. To make it, the bar team steeps orange peels in syrup left over from a jar of maraschino cherries “to combine the citrus flavors and mild bitterness of the orange oil with the sweet and tart cherry flavors.” This infused cherry syrup is then mixed with Mellow Corn whiskey and Angostura bitters to create an Old-Fashioned shot. “It has the added benefit of taking a pretty expensive ingredient (the fancy cherries) and utilizing all the components to avoid waste,” explains Ware.
Johnny’s Boilermaker Shot
Justin Ware | Houston
Ingredients
Servings: 29 shots
- peel of 1 orange
- 10 ounces cherry syrup (left over from maraschino cherries)
- 1 liter Mellow Corn whiskey
- 13 ounces water
- 1 1/4 ounces Angostura bitters
Garnish: sugar and salt rim (see Editor’s Note), orange slice dipped in Angostura bitters
Directions
- Combine the orange peel with the cherry syrup in a saucepan.
- Heat to a simmer and let simmer for 5 minutes.
- Fine-strain to remove the orange peels and allow to cool.
- Once cooled, add whiskey, water and bitters.
- Refrigerate overnight or until well-chilled. Keep cold for best taste and use within 1 month.
- To serve, pour into a shot glass rimmed with salt and sugar (see Editor’s Note)
- Garnish with an orange slice dipped in Angostura bitters.
- Serve with your favorite ice-cold beer; we suggest Lone Star.
Editor's Note
Sugar and Salt Rim
1/2 cup Sugar In The Raw
3 teaspoons kosher salt
Yield: 1/2 cup
Combine ingredients in a dry container and mix well. Store in a dry place for up to 1 year.