Justin Rankin from The Katharine Brasserie & Bar in Winston-Salem marries a Cheerwine Holiday Punch reduction with expertly chosen local bitters and bourbon, all harmoniously aged for eight weeks in oak barrels. The result is a festive tribute to North Carolina’s flavors, embodying a depth and character as rich and inviting as the holidays themselves.

Ingredients

1.5 ounces Frank’s Reserve from Broad Branch Distillery in Winston-Salem or the ‘low rye’ bourbon of your choice
0.5 ounce of Cheerwine Holiday Punch reduction
2 dashes of Crude Bitters ‘Attawanhood #37’ or angostura bitters
3 Luxardo cherries for garnish

Instructions

Cocktail

To make a single version at home and omit the barrel aging process add all the ingredients to a glass, mix and serve.

To barrel age at home, batch this in bulk form and add to a 10-liter barrel and let sit for six to eight weeks.

For Cheerwine Holiday Punch Reduction

Cook down 2 liters of Cheerwine Holiday Punch (which produces around 1.5 liters once reduced).

Find it online: https://cheerwine.com/recipes/carolina-old-fashioned/