A Whiskey Cocktail for Fall: Preservation Punch

First of all, the look of this cocktail is just dreamy.  Second, it’s absolutely delish and you need it in your life immediately.

What we have here is “preservation punch”, a lovely whiskey cocktail where sweet berry preserves are offset with acidic lemon juice and balsamic vinegar.  The result is a balanced drink that makes me think of the transition between seasons.  

Beyond how pretty it is, this is a flavor profile that really works for me.  Partly because I’m a well-known lover of jam.  But also just because it doesn’t *taste* like jam. 

Once shaken with the other ingredients, the jam ends up providing texture and body without adding much sweetness. 

Making it is crazy easy too.  Just pour all the ingredients over ice in a cocktail shaker. 

Shake with the ice for 15 seconds or more, then fine strain into a glass over fresh cubes (or one large ice cube).  Garnish with a lemon twist or a few berries.

I’m in love with these adorable reusable cocktail toothpicks right now! 

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So make yourself up one (or two) of this Preservation Punch cocktails, kick back and enjoy that weak late fall sunlight, those last few leaves floating around, and the promise of fires and fleeces just around the corner.  It even made my list of best Thanksgiving recipes!

[Full disclosure, I work for the company that makes Slane and enjoy it.  If you want to use something else, a good bourbon or another (complex) Irish whiskey works in this drink just fine.  My company is not affiliated with this blog in any way and this is *not* an ad.]

This recipe originally came from a bartender named Jeanie Grant in Oakland, via Thirsty (at the bottom of the page).  

Other whiskey cocktails you’ll love:

• A Classic “Brown Derby” Cocktail
• “43 Flip”: Creamy Whiskey Cocktail with Licor 43
• “New York” Whiskey Sour (with Optional Egg White Foam)
• Rye Port Manhattan Cocktail
• “If Egg Nog Was Good” Bourbon Milk Punch Cocktail
• A Perfect Amaretto Sour Cocktail (with Bourbon)
• Spiced Pear Bourbon Cocktail

A Whiskey Cocktail for Fall: Preservation Punch

Yield: 1 cocktail

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Total Time: 2 minutes

This Preservation Punch is boozy and fruity but not too sweet, with berry preserves balanced by lemon juice and balsamic...perfect for fall!

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Ingredients

• 2 ounces of Slane Irish Whiskey or lower proof bourbon (see notes)
• .75 ounce of fresh lemon juice
• .5 ounce of demerara simple syrup (1:1 ratio)
• Heavy bar spoon (or very small actual spoon) of strawberry preserves or jam (other berry works too)
• 3 drops of balsamic vinegar

Instructions

1. Pour all ingredients over ice in a cocktail shaker. 
2. Shake with the ice for at least 15 seconds, then fine strain into a glass over fresh cubes (or a large ice cube).
3. Garnish with lemon twist or berry

Notes

• I really like this with Slane (which is more complex than many Irish whiskies but around an 80 proof), or it would be great with a good bourbon that's a little lower proof. I tried it with my favorite Old Forester 100 proof and found that the alcohol out-shouted the other flavors.
• Making a demerara simple syrup is crazy easy, just add equal parts raw/demerara sugar and water to a small saucepan, and stir on medium heat til the sugar dissolves, then right when the mixture starts to boil remove from heat. It takes 2 minutes, and adds depth. But a regular simple syrup can work in a pinch.
• I love this with strawberry jam and feel it goes with the balsamic well, but any good berry jam works.

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