RITTENHOUSE WHISKEY RECIPES

Wassail is a deeply rooted tradition in the Midwest and a popular regional staple throughout the cold-weather season. Every winter as the holidays approach, many Wisconsinites still take part in the age-old "wassailing of apple trees," a ritual dating back to the fifteenth century that involves sprinkling wassail on apple trees to ensure a strong, healthy harvest and to keep the trees safe from evil spirits. Wassail always blends apples and winter holiday spices, but the sweeteners and spirits often change from recipe to recipe. This version comes from the Rittenhouse Inn in Bayfield, an area that leads apple production in Wisconsin. The cranberry juice is a perfectly tart counterpart to the sweetness of the apple cider and brown sugar, and the bourbon lends a full, rich quality, and the ginger, pepper, and spices offer a final kick of flavor.

Provided by EPICURIOUS.COM

Yield Serves 10 to 12

Number Of Ingredients 15

• Ingredients

WHISKEY I usually make my Manhattan with a middle-of-the-road brand of whiskey. Four Roses is my favorite cocktail bourbon, and Rittenhouse is a reliable and venerable rye. VERMOUTH There is vermouth, and then there is Carpano Antica Formula.  This is the original Italian vermouth.  There was a time when Italian vermouth meant the red or sweet version, and French vermouth indicated the dry, white variety.  The Carpano family has been making this spicy, herbaceous vermouth since the late eighteenth century.  It vastly improves any cocktail that uses red vermouth, and is wonderful on the rocks with a twist as an aperitif. BITTERS If you are new to being a home mixologist, you might not have bitters, and if you do, it is likely to be Angostura.  Nothing wrong with Angostura, although other brands have a bit more character. My two essentials, which I swap according to mood, are Regan’s Orange Number Five Bitters and Fee Brothers’ Whiskey Barrel Aged Bitters.  CHERRIES Maraschino cherries—yech.  (OK, maybe when I order a Shirley Temple…as if!)  Look for Luxardo Marasca Cherries, which are imported from Italy in a thick cherry syrup.  American maraschinos are drained of all color and flavor, and then pumped with artificial replacements.  What the…?  You will have to force yourself to refrain from eating the imported cherrie out of the jar.  And if you have ever considered doing the same with maraschino cherries, you have my sympathy.

Provided by Rick Rodgers

Yield 1 drink

Number Of Ingredients 4

• Ingredients