Black Currant Rosemary Cocktail (Printable)

Tart black currant meets warm bourbon with aromatic rosemary in this sophisticated 5-minute cocktail.

# What You Need:

→ Spirits

01 - 2 fl oz barrel-aged bourbon

→ Fruit & Syrups

02 - 1 fl oz black currant liqueur
03 - 0.75 fl oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
04 - 0.5 fl oz simple syrup

→ Aromatics & Garnish

05 - 1 small rosemary sprig, plus additional for garnish
06 - Black currants or lemon twist for garnish, optional
07 - Ice cubes

# Directions:

01 - Gently clap the rosemary sprig between your hands to release its essential oils and fragrance.
02 - Add the rosemary, bourbon, black currant liqueur, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
03 - Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake vigorously for 15 seconds until thoroughly chilled and combined.
04 - Double strain the mixture into a chilled rocks glass filled with fresh ice cubes.
05 - Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig and optionally add black currants or a lemon twist.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It's deceptively simple to make but tastes like you've been bartending for years.
  • The black currant brings a subtle tartness that keeps the bourbon from feeling heavy, making this genuinely refreshing rather than just strong.
  • Rosemary adds an unexpected herbal warmth that lingers after each sip, like a secret the drink keeps revealing.
02 -
  • Fresh lemon juice truly cannot be faked here—bottled juice will make the drink taste flat and one-dimensional, robbing it of the brightness that balances the dark fruit and strong spirits.
  • The rosemary sprig, clapped to release its oils, is what separates this from a hundred other black currant cocktails; without that aromatic release, it's just a garnish.
  • Chilling your glass beforehand makes a noticeable difference, keeping the drink cold longer and preventing dilution as you sip slowly through conversation.
03 -
  • Always chill your rocks glass in the freezer for five minutes before serving if you can—cold glass keeps the drink cold longer and changes the entire drinking experience.
  • The clapping of the rosemary isn't just theater; it genuinely releases essential oils that infuse the whole drink with a subtle herbal presence that gentle stirring simply won't achieve.
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