Enjoyed: Sunday, May 16, 2021

Listed on the menu: Yes, as Walnut Old Fashioned

Ingredients: Evan Williams Bourbon, Real McCoy Single Blended Rum, Demerara, walnut liqueur, orange bitters, walnut bitters, orange peel, cherries.

The occasion: Decompressing on a cloudy Sunday afternoon.  My sister and I had already finished an “in-person” visit with Mama (we were still required to sit behind a clear plastic partition, wear masks, and limit our visit to 30 minutes) and a subsequent hour-long visit at her room’s window (which only opens 4 inches and severely limits Mama’s ability to hear us clearly). Touching–not to mention hugging–is logistically impossible, so adding to everyone’s overall frustration with these visits. 

My rating: **** out of 5. The presentation was fabulous: a pretty yet solid-feeling low ball glass, a single extra-large ice cube, and three cherries on a bamboo pick. The drink had a lovely rich and sweet texture, probably from the rum and walnut liqueur. (I don’t remember ever buying walnut liqueur for my bar, but considering this is an Italian restaurant, this choice makes sense.) Overall, a creative take on the Old Fashioned, but I would have preferred a bit more of the Evan Williams flavor to shine.

Final thoughts: I have missed sitting at a bar, so this experience was a long-awaited treat! And sitting at a bar with my one and only sister? Even more of a treat!