At the heart of it, I’m a wine girl. Ok, a champagne girl, more specifically. However, every so often the mood strikes and I’m in the mood for something a little boozy. Historically I’m not much for dark liquors – you can keep your straight whiskey and scotch, thank you very much. However, I have had a cocktail or two featuring bourbon, which I enjoyed, so I thought I’d try making a little cocktail perfect for the holidays.

I based this concoction on a recipe for the Bardstown Sling (in this post, second one down). However, I wanted a touch of sweetness, so I doctored it up a bit with a lime simple syrup to counter the bitter, un-sweetened cranberry juice.

You should totally shake up a couple of these for your next holiday party. OR, like me, on a random Saturday night at home with a special someone. Get festive, y’all!

Port Town Punch Cocktail
* makes two cocktails, with extra lime simple syrup
* based on this Cold Glass recipe

Cocktail Ingredients
2 shots of Bourbon (I used Maker’s Mark)
1 shot of Triple Sec
2 shots of un-sweetened cranberry juice
lime simple syrup to taste (I used 1 tablespoon)
ice

Lime Simple Syrup Ingredients
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup water
zest from one lime

1.) Prep the lime simple syrup in advance by combining the sugar, water and lime in a small pot. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and let sit for 10 minutes. Strain the syrup through a fine sieve (to remove the zest) and store in the fridge.

2.) For the cocktails, combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with a few cubes of ice. Shake for a minute or so to combine and chill.

3.) Strain the cocktail into two festive glasses, I used antique champagne coups.