Cocktail: Ramble On, With Bourbon

At Brother Wolf in Knoxville, Tennessee, owner Jessica “Rabbit” King was looking to create a light, summery bourbon-based cocktail and a memory of her mother came to mind. “She would often make a breakfast of brûléed grapefruit halves in the summertime—she would cut the citrus cleanly in two halves with wide flat faces, liberally coat each top with fine sugar, and then place them in the top of the oven to broil,” King recalls. “At the time I didn’t have an appreciation for the taste of grapefruit, but she would let me peel a bit of crusted sugar from each one to eat.” This is where King got the idea to use a grapefruit reduction in her cocktail, along with bourbon, Aperol, honey syrup, lemon juice, and grapefruit bitters.

When choosing a bourbon for the drink, King wanted something that would shine through while still allowing the juicy flavors of the citrus to be prominent. “At 100 proof, Smooth Ambler Contradiction holds its own in this summertime smasher, and it’s the ideal complement to the zing of the grapefruit, itself both bitter and sweet,” she says. “Contradiction balances woody cinnamon and vanilla spices with apple and dried fruits. Blending these characteristics with a dry bitter aperitivo and mouthwatering tart citrus fruit creates a harmony of flavors and textures in the glass.”

And the name of the drink? It’s also inspired by King’s mother. “Led Zeppelin was one of her favorite bands.” “Ramble On,” a song about a perpetual journey, was released by the band in 1969.

Ramble On

Jessica “Rabbit” King, owner of Brother Wolf and Osteria Stella in Knoxville, Tennessee

• 1½ oz. Smooth Ambler Contradiction (or other bourbon)
• 1 oz. Aperol
• 1/2 oz. honey syrup
• 1/4 oz. fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 oz. grapefruit reduction (see below)
• 2 dashes The Bitter Truth Grapefruit bitters
• Candied grapefruit peel or grapefruit slice for garnish

Shake all ingredients vigorously with ice. Strain into a coupe glass or in a rocks glass over ice. Garnish with a candied grapefruit peel.

Grapefruit Reduction

Bring the juice of 3 large grapefruits to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cool, strain, and keep refrigerated in an air-tight container up to 5 weeks.