© J.N. Urbanski – Usage prohibited without consent

Did someone yell Cocktail? I have all this forsythia syrup and didn’t preserve it, so I need to use it all up before it goes bad. What better way to put syrup to good use than a twist on a couple of classic whiskey cocktails: a John Collins and a New York Cocktail. The simple syrup is replaced in both cocktails by forsythia syrup, the earthy tones of which are compatible with a good Scotch and the lemon. Find my forsythia syrup recipe here.

This first is similar to a John Collins, but made with Scotch and missing the fruity garnishes. The second is a New York Cocktail without the grenadine.

Catskills Collins

2 ounces Scotch
1/2 ounce of fresh lemon juice
1/2 ounce of forsythia syrup
Club Soda or Seltzer

Combine the Scotch, lemon juice and syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well, and strain into a collins or highball glass filled with ice cubes. Top with soda and stir briefly.

New York Cocktail

Lemon Twist
2 ounces of Scotch
1/2 ounce of fresh lemon juice
1/2 ounce of forsythia syrup

Rim a chilled glass with the lemon twist. Combine the other ingredients in a cocktail shaker, with ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass or in a rocks glass with ice. Garnish with the twist.

Cheers!