The Headless Horseman Burnt Honey Old Fashioned

In this Headless Horseman Burnt Honey Old Fashioned, whiskey is laced with burnt honey and a dash of orange bitters, making it the perfect stiff drink to gather your courage and face this fearsome ghost!

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Casting a menacing shadow over Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is the apparition of the Hessian rider who lost his head during the Revolutionary War. It is this spectre that Ichabod Crane encounters on the night of the Van Tassel feast. Frightened by the haunting tales of the Headless Horseman, Ichabod flees in terror when he perceives the spirit chasing him. With terrifying stories like these, a stiff drink is definitely in order. With plenty of whiskey and a slight bitter edge, the Headless Horseman Burnt Honey Old Fashioned is just what you need to summon your courage against this frightful spirit!

Ingredient Notes

Honey: This version of an old fashioned uses a burnt honey simple syrup rather than the traditional sugar cube. Caramelizing the honey adds a subtle smoky flavour and dark caramel notes to the drink. I like using honey from local honey farm Campbell’s Gold here in the Fraser Valley. My favourites are alfalfa or clover honey.

Whiskey: In a cocktail with so few ingredients it’s important to get each ingredient just right. While you certainly don’t need an expensive whiskey here, be sure to pick one that you enjoy. 

Orange bitters: Aromatic bitters are used to add depth of flavour and, well, a hint of bitterness in cocktails. To compliment the orange aromas in this cocktail I like to use an orange bitters. I recently discovered, and am enjoying, Rootside Orange Bitters from Esquimalt, BC.

Orange rind: Fresh orange rind adds a punch of citrus flavour. Twisting or bruising the orange rind will release the aromatic oils for even more flavour.

Luxardo maraschino cherries: Maraschino cherries are the classic garnish in an old fashioned. Most commonly it’s those candy-sweet, bright red cherries found in grocery stores and ice cream stands across North America. If those are the only maraschino cherries you’ve tried, then I must introduce you to the original Luxardo preserved cherries from Italy. First made in the 1800’s, Luxardo cherries are made from preserving sour marasca cherries in a dark red syrup. While they do come with a steeper price point than your average supermarket maraschino, they are far superior in flavour. I highly recommend splurging on a jar of Luxardo cherries for your next cocktail. You may never go back to those sundae-topping candied cherries again!

How to Make a Burnt Honey Old Fashioned

Make the burnt honey simple syrup

To make the burnt honey begin by measuring out the water and keep ready near the stove. Add the honey to a medium saucepan. Heat over medium high heat until the honey melts and comes to a boil. Turn the heat down to medium and let the honey continue to boil stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. If the honey foams up then remove from the heat and let it subside. Do not leave the honey unattended as it can boil over. 

Continue to cook while swirling the sauce pan regularly, stirring if needed to reduce the foam. After boiling for a couple of minutes the foam should subside for good. Continue to boil the honey until it begins to darken in color to a deep caramel colour. As soon as the honey reaches a dark caramel colour it’s time to add the water. This will take around 10 minutes.

Remove the saucepan from the heat and carefully pour the water into the burnt honey. Be careful when adding the water as it can spatter. Swirl the pan until the honey is fully dissolved into the water. Let the syrup cool completely before using. The burnt honey simple syrup will keep for up to a month in the fridge.

Make The Headless Horseman Burnt Honey Old Fashioned

To make the cocktail cut two pieces of orange rind about 2 inches long. In a cocktail shaker, combine the whiskey, burnt honey simple syrup, and orange bitters. Twist one piece of orange rind over the shaker to release the oils and then add to the contents. Add a couple of ice cubes and stir the mixture for 5 to 10 seconds to cool the mixture. 

Strain the cocktail into a rocks glass filled with ice. Take the other piece of orange rind and twist it to release the oils. Rub the orange skin around the rim of the glass and then add to the cocktail. Garnish with a maraschino cherry and enjoy!

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow: The Feast

Check out The Legend of Sleepy Hollow: The Feast master post for more Sleepy Hollow-inspired recipes in this series.

Cocktails

• Katrina Van Tassel’s Spiced Apricot Cocktail
• Gunpowder Fig and Rosemary Cocktail

Pies

• Toffee Apple Pie with Vanilla Custard
• Pumpkin Cheese Pie with Gingersnap Crust

Cakes

• Spiced Honey Mead Cake
• Gingerbread Stout Bundt

Savoury

• Cider Brined Roast Chicken
• Spiced Cherry and Port Glazed Ham