Brown Sugar Bourbon Old Fashioned

Had a long week? This whiskey cocktail is just what you need to mellow out but keep your edge.

Yes, I know that's the wrong glass. Snob!

I work hard. The life of an engineer is one of many problems, problems of which are my job to solve. My weeks are long, but unwinding with a well-deserved old fashioned makes it all worth it.

Brown over White

Brown holds you down. White makes you fight.

First off, let's establish a critical maxim here: brown is always better than white. Brown rice > white rice. Brown sugar > white sugar. Wheat bread > white bread. Dark meat > white meat. Dark chocolate > white chocolate. I'll let your cerebrum take it from here. Following suit, obviously brown liquor is better than white liquor (also known as clear liquor, also know as vodka or tequila or some rums). Brown liquor (i.e. whiskey) tops them all. It's smoother, it's more robust, and it's just more damn sophisticated. Yes, cognac (Hennessy) is more sophisticated than vodka. Hence, Ciroc has realeased a brandy.

Ciroc Brandy on my birthday because my bros love me.

I supposed you could argue it depends on what type of person you are, or what type of experience your aiming to have. Here's my mantra: "Browns holds you down. White makes you fight." I'm chill. I like being a mellow guy. Give me brandy. If you like that wild shit, yeah go ahead and take your vodka shots.

The Rat Race

J. Cole said it best on Bablo Boat, "wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up again/stuck inside a rat race". I'm less than 5 years into post-college life and I'm already fearing burn out. I'm already looking forward to not doing this "go to work" thing anymore.

I enjoy what I do but, I don't always enjoy doing it.

I like my job and I like being challenged at work. The commitments I have outside of work are fulfilling and meaningful to me. These things together give me purpose each day. I'm sure you can relate. But sometimes it just feels like it's too much. I enjoy what I do but, I don't always enjoy doing it. Sometimes I wonder if I'm pushing myself too hard. Often times I question the validity of the expectations of the work force. Sometimes I just need a break. Some Mondays I'm wishing it was Friday already. I'm sure you relate to that, too.

Office selfies, the highlight of Mondays.

Be xXesty!

I still remember my first old fashioned. It was 2016. I was living in Baton Rouge. It may have also been the funnest year I've had thus far. I was making A LOT of money and I was trying A LOT of new things. But work was killing me; racial tension, cut throat competition, questionable expectations. Yet it was also very exciting. I was new to full blown adulthood (bills), but I enjoyed the thrill of really being on my own. I was figuring out the do's and don'ts of a relationship, in very dramatic fashion, and also figuring out who I really was. It was a tumultuous time and because of that the old fashioned hit just right. It was love at first drink. My problems didn't go away, but I was mellow. And that mellowness stopped me from having a nervous breakdown many a times.

We're all out here grinding. We're all busting our ass. We're all constantly challenging ourselves to be greater. Thus, we're all tied up with a thousand and one projects. REMEMBER: It's ok to sit back and relax for a minute. We need to to unwind if we're ever going to truly stretch ourselves. So pour yourself a drink this weekend. You've earned it. Do yourself a favor and have an old fashioned.

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The Recipe

Here's what you'll need:

Brown Sugar Simple Syrup

• 1.5 cups of water

• 1.5 cups brown sugar

• 1/2 tsp maple extract

Bourbon Old Fashioned

• 3 ounces of bourbon (Hudson Baby Bourbon)

• 2 tbsp brown sugar simple syrup

• 2-3 dashes of aromatic bitters

• 1 large ice sphere

• Orange twist for garnish

Brown Sugar Simple Syrup

Step 1

Boil the water.

Step 2

Pour in brown sugar and stir until dissolved.

Step 3

Remove from heat and stir in maple extract. Let mixture cool.

Bourbon Old Fashioned

1 serving

Step 1

Make one large ice sphere using a whiskey ice ball mold.

Step 2

Chill a whiskey glass for at least 5 minutes.

Step 3

Pour 3 ounces of bourbon into the chilled glass. Then mix in 2 teaspoons of simple syrup. Next add 2 or 3 dashes of aromatic bitters.

Step 4

Carefully drop the ice sphere in the glass (don't splash!).

Step 5 Gently squeeze an orange twist over the drink to release it's oils. Use the twist as garnish.

Enjoy!

My first old fashioned @ Magpie Cafe in Baton Rouge

Credits

Mario Batali

Genius Kitchen