ruby red orchard sour
Is that not the prettiest name for a whiskey cocktail? High five, self.
I never fancied grapefruit. I still haven’t taken a huge liking to it as a proper snack or meal component. Mixed with whiskey, however? Sold. Or dipped in a sugar, though that’s not exactly the healthiest habit.
Granted, this Ruby Red Orchard Sour mended my, well, sour, relationship with the rotund citrus fiend. I intended a different fruit to pair with my Bulleit Rye, but alas, it was unavailable at the time and in my massive Capricorn impatience I grabbed the next best thing, which took the form of grapefruit. And guess what? Loved it. I drank it too fast. My cheeks reddened, because my ALDH2 gene is defective and results in Alcohol Flush Reaction. You didn’t need to know that, but here we are.
Fresh squeezed juice always frumps a bottled version, but if you need to, a good brand of grapefruit juice still works well. I’d veer from very pulpy renditions to keep the drinkin’ smooth. The thyme-ginger simple syrup offers more body to this sour and an herbal hint beneath the refreshing mixture above it. Takes five minutes and can make extras if you double or triple the recipe!
And yes, I know rimming a whiskey sour isn’t traditional, but shit, why not take big leaping excessive strides when you drink a mere once a week like I do?
Tried this recipe out? Leave a comment below with your thoughts, and don’t forget to come say hi on Instagram and show me what you’ve made!
Leftover lime sugar to use? Try out the Spicy Pineapple Ginger Margarita!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp lime zest
- 1 oz lime juice
- 2 oz whiskey
- 2 dashes orange bitters
- 1-2 oz ginger thyme simple syrup (recipe below)
- 1/3 cup grapefruit juice
- ginger beer, to top
ginger thyme simple syrup
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 inch ginger, grated
- 3 thyme sprigs
Instructions
- Stir together sugar and lime zest for the rim. Set aside.
- In a small sauce pan, combine ingredients for the simple syrup. Bring to a gentle simmer and heat about 5 minutes or until sugar dissolves, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
- Spread lime sugar onto a shallow plate. Run a grapefruit slice around the cocktail glass rim and roll into the sugar to coat.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine lime juice, whiskey, orange bitters, grapefruit juice, and simple syrup. Add ice and shake until icy cold. Strain over ice, being careful to avoid spilling onto the sugared rim. Top with ginger beer and garnish with grapefruit slices and thyme sprigs.
