Sweet Potato Old Fashioned

During the December holidays I had more friends sending me a request to make a Sweet Potato Old Fashioned. I’ll admit it didn’t’ sound particularly appealing; but I love a challenge.

After using bottled pear juice in an Old Fashioned – BLEH! – I learned my lesson and had a hard NO on canned sweet potatoes. I went old school and wrapped them in foil and baked them. The sugars from the sweet potatoes were oozing when I took them out of the oven. I’ll be honest, it was hard not to eat them and forget the cocktail. Making the sweet potato syrup took time, but not a lot of hands-on time.

Brown Girl approved!

I made the cocktail like a typical Old Fashioned, substituting the sugar for the sweet potato syrup. It was – interesting. LOL The syrup is very overbearing, so after trying the cocktail with a lower proof bourbon, I had to go big, 126 proof! This is a big bourbon for me and far higher than my normal pour. If my memory serves me, I think this bottle was a gift. Thankful for gifts because this cocktail demands it. The bourbon profile was heavy with caramel and toasted marshmallow. YUM! Whew, while I can’t drink a glass of this bourbon neat, a sip was quite tasty and added wonderfully with the syrup. This tasted like my mother’s sweet potato casserole. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but I was pleasantly surprised.

I had a few Brown Girls over to taste it and it was a hit. Like they crushed. I have no more sweet potato syrup and less than half of the bourbon remaining.

Final verdict – this one takes planning time. I’m not sure if I’d make it again just for me. But, I could easily see making this for a party or batch cocktails.

What are you sipping on?

Cheers,

~Kimberly Elise  
#2BrownGirls 
#MelaninTwist 
#BlackGirlMagic