Winning Colors: A Brown Derby Riff

Recipe: Hannah O'Neill , Redlight Kitchen & Bar , Bellingham, Washington

Photo: Teo Crider

August 21, 2024

An elegant take on the classic bourbon cocktail.

At Redlight Kitchen & Bar in Bellingham, Washington, bar manager Hannah O’Neill found inspiration in the classic Brown Derby cocktail. For her riff on the whiskey classic she layers sage-infused rye with bright citrus flavors and trades out the traditional honey element with a balance of Bénédictine and salted honey syrup.

Ingredients

1 1 1/2 oz. sage-infused rye whiskey
1 oz. fresh pink grapefruit juice
3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz. Bénédictine
1/4 oz. salted honey syrup

Tools:shaker, strainer
Glass:coupe
Garnish:sage leaf

Preparation

Add all of the ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake. Strain into the glass. Garnish.
Sage-Infused Rye WhiskeyAdd 1.3 grams of fresh sage leaves to 750ml of rye whiskey. Allow it to infuse for 3 days. Afterward, strain and store.
Salted Honey SyrupWhisk 1 cup of boiling water with 1 cup of honey. Add 2 tsp. of kosher salt and whisk until fully dissolved. Reserve in fridge for up to 2 weeks.