If you’re looking for a modern take on the subtle sweetness of the Old Fashioned, meet the Hill Country Howdy.
I usually avoid overly sweet or syrup-heavy cocktails, which narrows my brown liquor options. I do enjoy an Old Fashioned and the occasional Sazerac, but I also like creating subtle twists on classic bourbon drinks. When Garrison Brothers sent a bottle of their Single Barrel as a welcome-to-Texas gift, I developed this riff inspired by Hill Country flavors.
This is a special bourbon: each barrel is hand-selected by the distiller, and it’s the first single-barrel straight bourbon produced in Texas. It stands beautifully on its own, but pairing it with a simple, complementary syrup enhances the experience without masking the spirit. Drawing on the Hill Country’s produce, I paired the bourbon with fresh peaches — in this case white peaches — and bright, floral pink peppercorns.
The result is just enough sweetness to balance the bourbon, a touch of spice for depth, and a restrained finish that keeps the whiskey front and center. It’s summer in a glass: elegant, drinkable, and perfect for slow sunsets. The recipe follows the photos.
Bourbon with peach and pink peppercorn syrup
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- Author: Jess Pryles
Ingredients
Scale
2 shots good quality bourbon
1 cup water
1 cup white sugar
2 fresh peaches, sliced
2 tbsp pink peppercorns
Instructions
- Start by making the syrup.
- Crush the pink peppercorns lightly to release their oils. You can place them in a towel and press with a rolling pin or the back of a spoon.
- Combine the sugar, water, sliced peaches, and crushed peppercorns in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and press the softened peaches against the side of the pan with the back of a wooden spoon to release more flavor. Avoid completely breaking them down to keep the syrup clear.
- When the mixture cools, strain it through a cheesecloth or a fine kitchen cloth and a sieve. For a clearer syrup, strain a second time.
- To serve, place a large ice cube in a whiskey glass, add bourbon, then sweeten with the peach–pink-peppercorn syrup to taste. Stir gently and enjoy.