Bourbon Fix
- 2 oz Bourbon
- 1/2 oz Lemon Juice
- 1 tsp Superfine Sugar
- 1/2 oz Water
Mix lemon juice, sugar, and water in a the serving glass until the sugar dissolves. Add ice cubes or cracked ice along with the bourbon. Stir to combine. Rub a lemon peel around the rim of the glass, express the oil on the drink and throw the peel in. Garnish with slices of pineapple and/or oranges along with berries in season.
| Prep Time | 1 minute |
| Servings | 1 |
| Category | Fix |
| Tags | 1840-1880 (Cocktails Arrive), 1880-1919 (Golden Age), Classic |
| Proof | 46.5 |
| Strength | 1.3 standard drinks |
| Glass | Old Fashioned or Rocks Glass |
| Temp | Cold |
 |
You have before you the mid-19th Century version of a Bourbon Fix as Jerry Thomas would have prepared it in the 1860's. Later in the century the drink got fancied up (as a lot of drinks did during that time). A teaspoon or so of Orange Curacao was added to the recipe. I prefer the later version with the Curacao though it is a small change. If you add Curacao be sure to back off a little on the sugar to compensate.
Bourbon is, so far, my favorite base spirit to use in a Fix. As with all Fixes, you need to use a quality base spirit. Knob Creek which at 100 proof and 9 years of age can really show off in this drink. Maybe it's what makes Whiskey Sours so good - whatever it is this is a damn good drink. A Bourbon Fix with Knob Creek is strong and resplendent but tamed amply by the two sweeteners and the citrus.
I wonder what it would taste like with bonded rye?
Though a Fix is meant to be drunk rather quickly being a smaller, shorter version of a Sour, with a 100 proof base spirit you are looking for a little settling and dilution in the drink. But I still find myself finishing these pretty quickly because they're so good.
Rating (Liquor & Drink)
Using Knob Creek bourbon and Gran Gala for the Curacao (late Century version). 6/12/2012