Having previously developed a theme drink to represent Trump for election night. This week we plan on calibrating the ratios of ingredients for a drink to represent Clinton.

Initial observation:

The basic recipe is a modified version of the Old Fashioned found in The Fine Art of Mixing Cocktails:

Ingredients:

• Maker’s Mark Bourbon
• New Hampshire Maple Syrup
• 1:1 Simple Syrup
• Angostura Bitters
• Maraschino cherries (optional, but recommended)
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. In a tumbler, mix 2 tsp of syrup (maple and/or simple, ratio to be determined) and 2 dashes (12 drops) bitters.
2. Add 1 oz bourbon.
3. Mix syrup, bitters, and bourbon thoroughly with a stir stick.
4. Add ice (~4 cubes).
5. Add more 3 oz of bourbon.
6. Stir again.
7. Garnish with maraschino cherry (optional).
8. Season with hot sauce, to taste (not recommended).

Explanation:
The whiskey is overpriced, a bit bland by itself and the only thing that makes this drink palatable is something New Hampshire is known for. Also at nearly 90 proof, it is certainly qualified for the job of adult beverage.

Question:

What is the optimal ratio of simple syrup to maple syrup?

Expectation:

Given the small quantity of syrup being used relative the amount of bourbon, using pure maple syrup should be fine.

Equipment & Materials:

• Marker’s Mark Bourbon
• Simple Syrup
• New Hampshire Maple Syrup
• Ice cubes
• Measuring glass
• Small measuring spoons (1/2 tsp).
• Stir sticks
• 3 identical glasses

Procedure:

Since this is a simple taste test, only half sized drinks are indicated. So all of the measures will be cut in half. The order will also be simplified slightly to minimize the number of measurements needed.

1. In each tumbler, add 1 tsp of syrup with the following ratios of simple to maple syrup, 1:0, 1:1, 0:1.
2. Add 6 drops of bitters to each glass.
3. Stir all of the syrup/bitters mixtures.
4. Add 2 oz of bourbon to each glass.
5. Stir to combine.
6. Gently add 2 ice cubes to each glass.
7. Taste all versions.
8. Add cherry to each drink.
9. Re-taste each version.

Data:

Left to right: simple syrup, angostura bitters, bourbon, maple syrup, maraschino cherries.

All four of the taste testers agreed that the maple syrup only version was the best overall. It was also unanimous that the simple syrup only version was the least favorite. Additionally all of the taste testers agreed adding a cherry improved the flavor.

Left to right: Plain simple syrup, simple syrup and maple syrup, just maple syrup. All with cherries.

We didn’t try any with hot sauce. Mostly due to that ingredient being a joke, but also because we were unable to source the correct type of hot sauce.

Surprise Results:

The maple syrup was noticeably thicker at the beginning of step 5.

Conclusion:

Using pure maple syrup as a replacement for simple syrup actually makes for tastier beverage than just simple syrup.

Future Questions:

Maker’s Mark was chosen for its relative blandness, so the maple syrup adds interesting flavor. Would we expect the same results with a more interesting whiskey (e.g. Knob Creek)? If the maple syrup is supposed to represent the policy positions adopted from Bernie Sanders, should it perhaps be from Vermont?  I can never tell those states apart.