Charred Orange Whiskey |Cooking With Amanda

One of the standard cocktails that everyone knows and loves is an Old Fashioned. I know it's a big hit with my family and friends - everyone seems to enjoy them. Muddled orange, bitters, a sugar cube and bourbon. And don't forget the cherry for garnish.

This charred orange whiskey is my spin on the flavors of an old fashioned cocktail but using some different flavors like ginger liquor and sherry instead of bitters and a sugar cube.

Although I for one am a big fan of cocktails with bitters I know that not everyone is. Bitters can be, well, bitter tasting and if you're not into that flavor then you're probably not going to be into an old fashioned.

The ginger liquor gives this drink a little bit of bite that it needs but not as harsh of a flavor as bitters can add and the sherry adds a slight sweetness in place of the sugar cube.

But this drink called for a certain type of garnish – and I'm all about the garnish. I took a slice of orange, dipped it in sugar on both sides and caramelized it in a cast iron pan. You don't have to use a cast iron pan, just use a non-stick pan that you can get nice and hot.

The orange floats on top of this charred orange whiskey and infuses the drink with orange flavors. You can smell the orange when you take every sip and it's pretty rock star, if I do say so myself.

Try this charred orange whiskey even if you think you don't like an Old Fashioned, or even if you think you don't like whiskey. This one is going to change your mind!

Are you ready for barbecue season? Because this drink is 100%, totally, completely the perfect companion at your next barbecue.

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Charred Orange Whiskey Recipe

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Ingredients

3 ounces whiskey
1 ounce ginger liqueur
3/4 ounce cream of sherry
1 tablespoon orange juice, freshly squeezed
orange slices, for garnish
granulated sugar, for garnish

Directions

Take a 1/4" inch thick slice of an orange and coat it both sides in white sugar.
Get a cast iron pan hot over medium-high heat.
Place the orange slice in and don't move it for 3 minutes.
Check to see if the bottom is starting to caramelize then flip to the other side for another 3 minutes.
Just give it another minute or two on each side if it's not getting the color that you like after 3 minutes, depending on your pan and how hot it is it might take a few minutes longer.
Add the whiskey, ginger liquor, cream of sherry and fresh orange juice to a shaker filled with ice.
Shake well and strain into a low-ball glass filled with ice.
Garnish with the caramelized orange slice.