WHEN YOUR FAVE NIGHTCAP TAKES INSPIRATION FROM YOUR FAVE DESSERT...
I know I am not allowed to pick "favorites" when it comes to my recipes, so I won't do that. BUT ...if I have to choose a recipe to describe what The Tash Mashup is all about...this one would be most definitely IT.
I love a cozy Friday night in (cue the Bollywood movie and Thai takeout - elite combo if you were to ask me). My favorite part about this cocktail is that it is as easy as it gets and tastes like a beverage you'd order at your favorite cocktail bar in the city. If that is not enough of a reason to make this, keep scrolling! If it is, skip to the directions. :)
By now, you already KNOW this one is my favorite. Let me tell you a little bit more about it. During Diwali season, I always have gulab jamuns in my fridge. Yes, I am eating them but I am a big dessert + stiff drink gal. This pairing following the Bollywood movie and Thai takeout situation?
BABBBBBYYYY....
I think it is important for me to also share- this cocktail isn't meant to taste like a gulab jamun...it's meant to be enjoyed WITH gulab jamuns. Before anyone comes for me, I wanted to be sure to mention since I wanted to keep things simple. Sure, you can infuse the whiskey with more flavors reminiscent of gulab jamun but you don't need to. This recipe does a great job of being OUTSTANDING on its own.
Real talk, when the party needs to be maintained, this Gulab Jamun Old Fashioned is your party maintainer and she takes her job seriously.
The subtle hints of cardamom and saffron in the syrup really show up to show out against the whiskey. I always need a few cherries for a garnish, so don't forget those either! They really take the old-fashioned up a notch and you know me... I am a big fan of garnishes that add value & then some.
We are coming up to the end of my Diwali series shortly, but if you have enjoyed following along- I can't wait for you to see what I have up my sleeve for the rest of the holiday season. As always, feel free to send me a note or reach out on Instagram if you have any feedback or specific questions. Big hugs!
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INGREDIENTS
2 teaspoons of gulab jamun syrup
3 dashes of Angostura bitters
2 oz of whiskey (I used Amrut)
1 orange peel
1 extra large ice cube
2 cocktail cherries (Luxardo cherries work best here, but use what you can find!)
DIRECTIONS
Add the gulab jamun syrup and bitters to an Old Fashioned glass. Then, add in your extra large ice cube and stir about 11-12 times until the glass is cold to the touch.
Take your orange peel and rim the glass with the pith facing outwards. Then, bend slightly to get all of those essential oils into the glass. Then, drop the orange peel directly into your glass.
Add in your whiskey.
Stir again until completely chilled! This is IMPORTANT.
Drop in a cocktail cherry or two (I love two) and drink immediately!
~ Serves 1
Notes
You can most definitely use homemade gulab jamun syrup here. I used a storebought gulab jamun from my favorite Indian grocer that makes them fresh every week. Do what serves you! Don't have gulab jamun on hand? You can also take a simple syrup and infuse it with the flavors that make gulab jamun gulab jamun: I'm talking rose, saffron, and cardamom! I am all about ease and efficiency so this is just my process.
I used an Indian brand of whiskey that I am nothing short of obsessed with right now. My reco here is to stick to a whiskey that you enjoy the taste of. This might be a no-brainer but this isn't a mixed cocktail that will mask the flavor of the liquor, so make sure you like the taste of the whiskey on its own before using it in this recipe.