The Fine Feller Cocktail Recipe

Nick Guy
The Fine Feller Cocktail Recipe
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  • Yield:makes 1 cocktail, plus extra syrup
  • Active time:5 minutes
  • Total time:15 minutes
This recipe appears in:
Drink This Now: The Fine Feller Cocktail

[Photo: Nick Guy]

This recipe from bartender Daniel Hyatt finally gives you a way to work pine needles into your cocktail routine. It's essentially iced tea with a kick, offering well-balanced sweetness and subtle evergreen flavor. Christmas trees, beware!

About the author: Nick Guy is the accessories editor for iLounge, and covers barware and drinking accessories for The Sweethome. He is based in Buffalo, NY, and on Twitter is @thenickguy.

Every recipe we publish is tested, tasted, and Serious Eats-approved by our staff. Never miss a recipe again by following @SeriousRecipes on Twitter!

Ingredients

  • For the evergreen honey syrup:
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/2 cup chopped pine, spruce, or Douglas fir needles, preferably young tips
  • 2 cups raw honey
  • For the cocktail:
  • 2 ounces rye whiskey
  • 3/4 ounce evergreen honey syrup
  • 3/4 ounce apple cider
  • 3/4 ounce brewed Darjeeling tea, chilled
  • Lemon peel for garnish

Directions

  1. 1.

    For the Syrup: Bring water to a boil and add pine needles. Remove from heat, steep pine needles for 10 minutes. Stir in honey to dissolve, allow to cool, and strain. Syrup can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

  2. 2.

    For the Cocktail: combine rye, evergreen honey syrup, apple cider, and brewed tea in a highball or copper mug. Add crushed ice, stir gently to mix. Squeeze lemon peel over the top.

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