best old fashioned in detroit

THE “MINT CHIP WAFFLE CONE” OLD FASHIONED

A Spirited Trip Down Memory Lane

Childhood nostalgia meets bourbon in the Mint Chip Waffle Cone cocktail. This old-fashioned riff draws inspiration from a memory more than a flavor - an ode to those carefree summer days, swirling with the fresh burst of mint and the rich indulgence of chocolate chips, all encased in the aromatic embrace of a crispy waffle cone. Think: the joy of green drips melting down the side of your hand—a journey back in time with a grown-up twist.

THE COMPONENTS

WAFFLE CONE INFUSED ELIJAH CRAIG BOURBON

The base of this cocktail is waffle cone-infused Elijah Craig Bourbon. This infusion captures the essence of freshly baked waffle cones, with the sweetness of toasted sugar amplifying the vanilla and caramel notes of the bourbon.

INGREDIENTS + METHOD:

  1. Blend 750ml Elijah Craig Small Batch with 150g Fresh Waffle Cone until fine.

  2. Run through a centrifuge or strain through a fine mesh paper filter back into the bottle.

THE MINTY CHILL: BRANCA MENTA

Branca Menta is a game-changer. It's that secret weapon in your cocktail arsenal, the understated yet bold twist that takes your drink from "that's nice" to "whoa, f*** that’s good!". *Pro tip: it’s best in small doses. Try adding a bar spoon to a quarter oz to your creations to add a refreshing minty punch to your cocktail.

VANILLA SYRUP

 The vanilla syrup (and the choco bitters) serve as a harmonizing agent in this cocktail, bridging the gap between the waffle cone-infused bourbon and the crisp, minty notes of Branca Menta. Its smooth, aromatic sweetness provides a balanced counterpoint, rounding out the flavors and enhancing the drink's overall cohesion.

INGREDIENTS + METHOD:

  1. Combine 20 oz water, 850g cane sugar, 2 scraped vanilla beans, and 1/4 tbsp of vanilla extract in a pot.

  2. Heat on medium, stirring until the sugar dissolves.

  3. Cover the pot, let it sit and infuse for 2 hours, then strain into bottles. Label, date, and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

BUILDING THE MINT CHIP WAFFLE CONE OLD FASHIONED

Stir up your version of our Mint Chip Waffle Cone cocktail and share your creation with us by tagging @standbydetroit. Want to taste the inspiration firsthand? Join us at the Baker's Dozen pop-up at Standby in Detroit, MI, from NYE to Valentine's Day.

INGREDIENTS + METHOD:

  1. Combine 2 oz of the waffle cone-infused bourbon, 0.5 oz of vanilla syrup, 0.25 oz of Branca Menta, and 5 dashes of chocolate bitters in a mixing glass.

  2. Stir well, then strain over a king cube.

  3. Garnish with freeze-dried mint chip ice cream to complete this nostalgic boozy treat.