The First Harvest
An Old Fashioned-Inspired cocktail for Lammas
The first of August kicks off the harvest season with Lammas (also known as Lughnasadh) – the first harvest. All the seeds that were sown back in spring are finally in the first wave of harvest (both literally and metaphorically)! Fields, once barren, now glow gold with wheat and grain, and we begin to see the signs that our hard work is paying off, and success is on its way.
A time of celebration, Lammas is a great time (like any other) to enjoy a nice, hard-earned libation! I’m down for an excuse to drink, are you?
So what kind of beverage works best for the energy of Lughnasadh?
Since Lammas is Saxon for “loaf-mass”, I thought that a grain-based spirit like whiskey bourbon would be perfect for such a cocktail! And what better classic cocktail to use for inspiration than an old-fashioned?
(The) First Harvest: an herbal old-fashioned with subtle floral notes, and smooth-as-honey mouthfeel
- 1 1/2 ounces chamomile & hazelnut home-infused bourbon (or you can choose other herbs!)
- 1/2 ounce apple liqueur – apples are perfect for a harvest cocktail!
- 1/2 ounce honey syrup (1:1 parts honey and water)
- 4 dashes of lavender bitters
Extra:
- 1/4 ounce favorite sweet amaro of your choice
- 2 dashes of New Orleans bitters (to add more depth and flavor)
Many herbs are available at this time – one of the wonders of the harvest season! Chamomile, lavender, and hawthorn are just a few. Since August is the Celtic month of Hazel, I chose to throw some hazelnuts and chamomile into bourbon and let them sit for a while, but you can do any arrangement of herbs you desire! A few days later, just strain out the herbs and you have infused whiskey!
