Black Currant Rosemary Cocktail (Printer-friendly)

Elegant bourbon cocktail with tart black currant, fragrant rosemary, and bright citrus notes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Spirits

01 - 2 fl oz barrel-aged bourbon

→ Fruit & Syrups

02 - 1 fl oz black currant liqueur (crème de cassis or similar)
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, optional for garnish
07 - Ice cubes

# Directions:

01 - Gently clap the rosemary sprig between your hands to release its essential oils.
02 - Add the rosemary sprig, 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 well-chilled and properly integrated.
04 - Double strain the mixture into a chilled rocks glass filled with fresh ice, ensuring clarity and optimal texture.
05 - Top with a fresh rosemary sprig and, if desired, a few black currants or a lemon twist.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The black currant gives you a jewel-like depth that makes you feel sophisticated without needing to pretend.
  • Rosemary transforms from a cooking herb into something utterly mysterious when it meets bourbon and citrus.
  • This cocktail takes five minutes but tastes like someone spent all evening thinking about you.
02 -
  • Don't skip the clapping part—dried rosemary in a shaker tastes like you grabbed something from the back of the cupboard, but awakened rosemary feels like intention.
  • Shake this one hard; timid shaking leaves everything too warm and the flavors muddy instead of singing together.
03 -
  • If you can't find good black currants for garnish, don't sweat it—a lemon twist does the job just fine and costs nothing.
  • Make your own simple syrup in five minutes by heating equal parts sugar and water until the sugar dissolves, then letting it cool; it tastes fresher than anything premade.
Go back