I have this thing for Moroccan food, mainly because of the spices, fruits and exotic ingredients involved. The aromatics of those warm spices and flavors just grab my imagination and take me to places with starry desert nights, warm arid breezes and mysterious strangers on trains to Istanbul. (Yes, I'm a romantic and I make no excuses for it, it's packaged in with my creativity and is a large element of my cocktail experience and recipes.)
Rosewater is often used in Moroccan dishes as well and, when Four Roses Bourbon sent me a bottle of their Small Batch to use for a Valentine's themed cocktail, those roses and one sip of the spicy, slightly fruity whiskey sent my mind on a flight of fancy to the Middle East. What better way to send bourbon and roses on a voyage to romance than on a vacation to the land of spicy intrigue?
The
MOROCCAN ROSE
Cocktail
INGREDIENTS:
1-1/2 Oz. Four Roses Bourbon
2 Dashes Orange Bitters
2 Teaspoons Moroccan Spiced Simple Syrup*
1 Dash Rose water
Large Ice Ball or Cube
Garnish: Edible (organically grown) Rose Petal, Orange Twist Heart
Tools: Bar Spoon
Glass: Old Fashioned
DIRECTIONS:
Pour the Moroccan simple syrup, the orange bitters and the rose water into the glass and swirl around to coat the glass. Add the ice then pour in the Four Roses Bourbon, stir several times, garnish with a single edible rose petal and an orange twist heart then serve.
WANT A FIZZY COOLER VERSION?
Mix the ingredients in a highball glass, fill with chipped ice, top it off with soda or ginger ale and garnish!
*Moroccan Spiced Simple Syrup Recipe
Ingredients
2 cups of sugar
1 cup of water
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
Pinch of cayenne
Pinch of black pepper
1 tablespoon of vodka, (optional preservative)
Directions
Add ingredients to a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Once the sugar has dissolved, immediately remove the pan from the heat and allow to cool. If you wish you can add the vodka so the syrup will keep longer.
