THE RHODIE
I love a good cocktail. Trouble is, it’s not always easy to find one. While there are now countless artisanal bars serving drinks of all varieties, both modern and old, the reality is that you can’t expect to find an outstanding cocktail at an average bar. Take for example the classic, whiskey sour. Order one up at your local neighborhood dive and your guaranteed to be poured a neon yellow concoction topped with an equally garish maraschino cherry. Odds are it will taste comparable to battery acid with a look and viscosity of Lysol – yes, I despise sours mix that much. Having endured my fair share of hangovers at the hands of these sickly sweet spirits, I’ve come to believe that that stuff might just be worse for you than the booze in the glass.
Enter, the Rhodie. A refreshing take on the old standby, but without a drop of sours mix in sight. Here, quality bourbon is shaken with fresh lemonade, tart Meyer lemon juice and a splash of grade-A maple syrup for a concoction that delivers all the sweet/sour qualities of the original. Served up and free of any of those formaldehyde cherries, the Rhodie is a pure expression of bright, refreshing lemon on a background of sweet, caramelized bourbon and maple syrup. One sip and you’ll have a hard time going out for drinks ever again.
