The internet tells me that old fashioned cocktails are typically made with whiskey, but I'm going to warn you right now in the first sentence of this blog post that if you're looking for a whiskey-based cocktail recipe, you should probably just turn back whence you came. I just can't get onboard whiskey, perhaps I need to work on that a little, but for now, in an attempt to make this traditionally whiskey-based cocktail more palatable I made the executive decision to go with bourbon.
Ground cherries are an interesting little fruit that come wrapped up in a thin paper-like husk, just like tomatillos; this is due to the fact that they are both from the nightshade family of plants. The ground cherry is actually nothing like a cherry at all, other than in shape; it's orange in color, has tiny little seeds, and has a slightly tropical flavour, kind of like pineapple.
If you've clicked on this post because you're looking for a stiff drink, this one's definitely for you. But if you're more like me and don't yet enjoy the taste of most alcohol straight-up, try this bourbon sour instead.
Ground Cherry Old Fashioned
2 oz Bourbon (I’m using Basil Hayden’s)
2 ground cherries
2 dashes angostura bitters
1 brown sugar cube, or 1 tsp brown sugar
1 tsp St. Germain
Put 1 brown sugar cube and 1 ground cherry into the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Saturate the sugar cube in bitters. Muddle until they turn into a pulverized paste.
Add bourbon, St. Germain, and ice cubes. Stir well for a full minute until chilled and well incorporated. Strain into a glass with a large cube of ice. Garnish with a ground cherry.