This Cocktail Tastes Like a Summer Orchard

Imagine walking through a fruit orchard at the peak of summer. As the warm sun shines down, you breathe in the soft scents of ripe fruit and fresh herbs. That's the feeling Maya Mcshan, bar director for Alma Café in New Orleans, La., aimed to create with her Perfect Orchard cocktail.

“It's lush and aromatic,” she says. “Soft wheated bourbon meets crisp pear, a whisper of thyme, and tart lime for lift. It’s juicy, herbaceous, and incredibly smooth.” Wheated whiskey’s rounded profile is perfect when you want to add depth but allow more delicate flavors, like fruit and herbs, to shine.

Don't omit the single slice of green apple. “It infuses a subtle freshness during the shake,” Mcshan explains.

Perfect Orchard

• 1 1/2 oz. Maker's Mark (or other wheated bourbon)
• 3/4 oz. pear nectar
• 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
• 1/2 oz. thyme-honey syrup (recipe below)
• 2 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
• 1 thin slice green apple
• Dehydrated lime wheel and fresh thyme sprig for garnish

Combine all ingredients in a shaker tin with ice. Shake for 5 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass, and garnish with lime wheel and thyme sprig.

Thyme-Honey Syrup

• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 thyme sprig

Combine honey and water in a saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil while stirring. Add thyme, remove from heat, and let steep 20 minutes. Strain into an airtight container and let cool. Keep refrigerated up to 2 weeks.