THE DAILY DERBY

To kick off fellas week I invited my friend Derick to write about his new signature cocktail... 

I've been a cocktail enthusiast for a while now - mixing various bourbon-based creations, and even recently took my mixology a step further by making my own home made bitters. Bourbon is my spirit of choice - and as a longtime fan of Manhattans and Old Fashioned's I like my bourbon drinks fairly simple so I wanted to branch out from the old standbys and try something new. As a semi-frequent visitor to the trendy bourbon joints in the Bay Area, I'm constantly asking the mixologists to make me something new - but within the Manhattan and Old fashioned family - and I've gotten everything from Vieux Carre's to hand-made Whiskey sours, but a while back a bar tender made a me a cocktail using Bourbon, Bitters and Benedictine and said it was called a Derby. At the time I wasn't familiar with Benedictine, but one sip and I was in love. Upon researching this drink I've realized that there are many variations and that the average bartender will have no idea what you're talking about if you order one. You can take your chances and explain it (sometimes this isn't well received)  or you can simply enjoy them at home.

So I'd like to share with you my recipe for my current favorite adult beverage which I call  "The Daily Derby." I call it this because it's based off the standard Derby but with some subtle variations. 

2 oz Bourbon or Rye (I use Bulleit)

Angostura Bitters

Orange Bitters

1/4 oz Benedictine

1/4 oz Cocchi Americano

Lemon twist

Fill a pint glass with ice and give a healthy shake of bitters to the cubes. This is where you can get creative with your variations. I always use Angostura, but often add others to the mix, such as Orange or Maple. Pour the bourbon (or rye if you like it spicier) and the Benedictine and Cocchi over the rocks. Stir (DO NOT SHAKE) and strain the drink over fresh ice in whiskey tumbler or serve up. Add a lemon twist and serve. Taste wise this drink will reminder you of a Manhattan, but my palette enjoys the herbal liqueur more than the sweet wine flavor of vermouth. What makes this drink unique to me is the addition of Cocchi Americano which is italian aperitif wine from italy.

Enjoy!

Derick

Derick Daily is not only my friend, he's also married to Jen from the lovely photo blog Day By Daily.