There’s been lots of talk around the East End about the upcoming Montauk steakhouse, Mavericks. Slated for an April opening, the eatery will not only feature some serious steakhouse fare, but also a killer cocktail menu curated by mixologist and beverage consultant Jarhn Blutstein.
Among her cocktail lineup is this suped-up Old-Fashioned. Blutstein dispenses with the usual cube-muddling, instead opting for a maple-based simple syrup, which melds nicely with the brown butter-washed Woodford Reserve bourbon at the heart of the drink, along with a bit of 12-year-old Diplomático rum from Venezuela. As a final creative coda, she uses Cynar—an artichoke-based amaro—as a less-traditional bittering agent in this classic cocktail.
But what was that part about brown butter washing, you ask? Fear not novice bartenders! It may seem intimidating, but this tasty tipple’s ingredients are easy to procure and require minimal equipment and technique. The brown butter adds to the luxurious roundness of the drink, complementing the warming caramel notes and adding a rich, nutty element to this silky smooth sipper.
Blutstein’s Brown Butter Old-Fashioned
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz brown butter-washed Woodford Reserve bourbon
- 1/2 oz Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva dark rum
- 1/4 oz Cynar
- 1/4 oz maple syrup mix
- orange peel for garnish
Brown butter-washed bourbon
- 8 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 750 ml bottle of Woodford Reserve bourbon
Maple syrup mix
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup water
Directions
- Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice.
- Stir well for 30 seconds, or until well-chilled.
- Strain over a large ice cube in an old-fashioned or double-rocks glass.
- Garnish with the orange peel. Cheers!
Brown butter-washed bourbon
- Slowly brown the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, until well-toasted. It should have a nutty aroma (be careful not to overcook it). Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Combine the butter and bourbon in a plastic container. Swirl around, tightly seal, and freeze overnight.
- Strain the mixture through a cheesecloth or coffee filter. Store in a well-sealed container for up to 3 weeks.
Maple syrup mix
- Combine the maple syrup and water in a container. Stir until well-mixed. Cover tightly, label and store up to a month in the refrigerator.
