For Mom’s birthday my sister and niece came down and practiced social distancing with my parents. It was a grand time, we did what everyone else is doing – stayed inside and did nothing extraordinary. Yet, being with family makes it a lot easier to manage. It did wonders for my mental health.

So we basically have my mother on lock down because she checks ALL of the boxes for COVID-19. Sister and I went did her grocery shopping and stopped at the liquor store on our way home. I’m determined to make my sister to drink bourbon! She bought a small bottle of @BasilHayden and I tried something new @HudsonWhiskey Baby Bourbon.

In a word – interesting. Second word sweet, nah I need two words - mildly sweet. I tried it neat, as I always do when I am trying bourbon for the first time. I immediately smelled alcohol as the first scent, quickly followed by caramel or maybe vanilla. When alcohol is the first thing that hits my nose, it usually means I am not going to be able to drink it neat. Usually the proof is too high (46%, which isn’t too high) but that wasn’t the case. I’m not sure why this wasn’t super smooth; but it wasn’t for me. I added a couple of ice cubes and it mellowed out the drink nicely and rounded out the sweetness.

Sister ‘liked it’. And by like it, I mean she didn’t wince after each sip. Lord, help her. LOL. In all truth, she preferred this to my beloved Basil Hayden. I swear if we didn’t look so much alike, I would question our blood relation. Mom took a small sip, said “WOW, that’s strong” and put it down quickly. I’m surrounded by teetotalers, I swear!

For my second glass, I added ice and cranberry kombucha. I was trying to replicate a true shrub and it wasn’t bad. The kombucha, which I drink straight, was very good. The cranberry was a good counterbalance to the sweetness of the bourbon. Voila, a new cocktail was created.  My drinking partners weren’t really feeling the cocktail; but they also don’t drink kombucha, so I understand why.

Final review – I like it on the rocks or in a cocktail.

Cheers
~Kimberly Elise

#2BrownGirls
#MelaninTwist
#BlackGirlMagic