Rough River’s Favorite Recipes

  • A person holding a copper mug filled with a cocktail garnished with a mint sprig, with ice inside and a lime wedge. In the background, a larger glass container with a similar cocktail and a sprig of mint, and a bottle of liquor. The scene appears to be at a bar or social gathering.

    Kentucky Mule

    INGREDIENTS
    2 oz Founding Fox Bourbon
    ginger beer chilled
    juice of 1 lime

    INSTRUCTIONS
    Add ice to the copper mug. Pour bourbon and then chilled ginger beer over. Squeeze one lime on top. Garnish with lime peel and fresh mint leaves.

  • A glass of pinkish-orange drink garnished with an orange peel and a dark cherry, placed on a wooden surface against a black background.

    Old Fashioned

    INGREDIENTS
    2 tsp simple syrup
    3 dashes Angostura bitters
    3 dashes orange bitters
    1 large ice cube
    2 oz Founding Fox Bourbon
    1 piece orange peel
    1 whole cocktail cherry

    INSTRUCTIONS
    To a cocktail glass, add 2 tsp of simple syrup (we prefer making our simple syrup with 1 part turbinado sugar and 1 part water)

    Add 3 dashes Angostura bitters.

    Add 3 dashes orange bitters.

    Add a large ice cube to the glass.

    Add 2 ounces (60 ml) of bourbon.

    Stir, ideally for 1 minute and for at least 20 seconds.

    Spritz an orange peel over the glass to release its oils. Then twist the peel and add to the glass.

    Top with a cocktail cherry.

  • A decorative still life composition featuring a glass of orange-colored drink, a large amber glass vase with dried plants, a wide-open metal container with dried persimmons, and fresh persimmons scattered on a wooden surface with a soft blue-gray background.

    Persimmon Bourbon Cocktail

    INGREDIENTS
    1 barspoon sweetened spiced persimmon pulp**
    1.5 oz Founding Fox Bourbon
    1 oz apple cider
    3 dashes gingerbread bitters
    Top off with hard cider

    INSTRUCTIONS
    Add persimmon, whiskey, cider, and bitters to a shaking tin. Add ice and shake until very cold. Strain into a rocks glass with ice and top with hard cider. Garnish and enjoy.

    **Sweetened Spiced Persimmon Pulp
    1/3 cup persimmon pulp, fresh or thawed
    1/3 cup sugar (use white so the color stays vibrant)
    2 cinnamon sticks,
    1 star anise
    Juice from 1 mandarin orange

    Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and let combine and steep for at least 2 hours. Once the cinnamon and anise flavors are at your level of preference, take out the cinnamon sticks and star anise and discard (or wash off and use for another infusion, tincture, or garnish.) Store in a clean container in the fridge for 7-10 days.