Stir Up This Persimmon Spiced Old Fashioned for Friendsgiving

Who doesn’t love pumpkin spiced anything this time of year? I took the same principle and applied it to an oft-forgotten fruit of the fall, persimmons, to make the perfect Friendsgiving cocktail made with Basil Hayden’s bourbon. The fruit has a lovely autumnal vibe and beautiful honeyed cinnamon tones that pair perfectly with bourbon. My neighbor just happened to have a few extra to share (’tis the spirit of the season), so I knew I just had to do something special, but also super simple, with them. I think my friends and fam will swoon over this one at our Friendsigiving fête, and hope yours do too!

Persimmon Spice Simple Syrup

2 very ripe persimmons, seeds and peel removed

1 cup organic confectioner’s sugar

1/2 cup organic brown sugar

1 tbsp vanilla extract

2 tbsp pumpkin spice

1 cinnamon stick

1 1/2 cups water

Place all ingredients in a medium sized sauce pan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Lower heat and let sugar dissolve, stirring occasionally for approximately 10 minutes. Use a sieve for mesh strainer to strain off ingredients, and store your simple syrup in a deli cup or Tupperware. Cool, then use in your favorite old fashioned recipe. My ratio is below.

Persimmon Spice Old Fashioned

2 parts Basil Hayden’s bourbon

1/4 parts persimmon simple syrup

1 orange peel

2 shakes Angostura bitters

1 large ice rock

1 rocks glass

In a rocks glass, spritz the orange peel and rub around the glass to release aromatics. Reserve the peel. Place the remaining ingredients into the glass, and stir with a cocktail stirrer vigorously (but try not to make a mess!) Add the peel for garnish and enjoy.