There’s a reason we talk about the weather here in New Orleans. It’s not small talk. Hardly.
We talk about it because in the summer it is ever-present and unpredictable. The weather has a sense of humor enough to know when you’ve gone into the grocery store, leaving your umbrella in the backseat of your car. It’s kind enough to create wind strong enough to trim your trees for you… whether you wanted them trimmed or not. Sweet enough to constantly humidify your ferns…all the ferns… every plant… plus your hair. The weather here will not be ignored. Pretty magical as long as you’re not scared of night thunder.
This isn’t a low octane cocktail. It’s slow and syrupy. Our porch-sit sipping cocktail to wrap up these steamy summer days. Best enjoyed under a balcony, in the rain, jumping at occasional thunderclaps.
Ps. Everyone is afraid of night thunder. It’s biological.
Here’s how we’re cocktailing in these lingering summer days.
This drink is about process with a sprinkling of ritual. The order of dashes and muddles has been predetermined by the cocktail gods.
The beginning is simple. A sugar cube (I like the raw sort) in the bottom of a rocks glass.
Three dashes of bitters onto and into each sugar cube. Three is good. Four is also good. Five is fine. Six… well, go easy.
A small dash or orange flower water. A splash is a flick of the wrist. It’s technical and deliberate except not at all. Splash.
A slightly larger splash of sparkling water.
I have La Croix in my refrigerator because I AM A MODERN WOMAN. Join me. It’s definitely all it’s cracked up to be.
Muddled.
Crushing the cube. Dissolving the sugar. Bubbling with flavor and sweetness.
The peaches smell like summer. We’re still in it!
The peach is muddled just slightly. Crushing for flavor. It’s ok. We’re still compassionate humans.
Ice cubes. Good ones. Two.
Now it’s time for whiskey. You can choose bourbon or rye. Whichever makes you feel most alive inside.
Stir respectfully. Add Luxardo Cherries and sip sip slowly.
Cheers to us. xo
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Peach Orange Water Old Fashioned
- Prep Time: 5
- Total Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 sugar cube
- 3 dashes bitters
- splash of orange flower water
- splash of sparkling water
- 2 slices of peach
- ice cubes
- 2 ounces Rye or Bourbon Whiskey
- 2 luxardo cherries
Instructions
- This recipe makes one cocktail. Double, triple, or quadruple as necessary, making one cocktail per glass.
- Place the sugar cube in a rocks glass. Splash bitters, orange flower water, and a splash of club soda over the sugar cube. Use a muddler to break up the cube and crush until it is mostly dissolved. Add a slice of peach and muddle to crush and infuse the flavor.
- Fill glass with two or three ice cubes
- Top with whiskey.
- Stir.
- Garnish with a fresh peach slice and two cherries.
- Cheers!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
Photos with Jon Melendez
21 Responses
I made 2 of these last night to go with your individual peach & strawberry cobblers. The old fashioned had great flavor and I used Basil Hayden bourbon. I always keep a bottle of orange blossom water in my fridge, since it seems to last forever and I use it for other cocktails (Ramos gin fizz!) and baking. I have 3 peaches left so there might be a repeat this Labor day weekend. Thanks for a yummy & easy cocktail!
Hello! This recipe looks great, but wondering where you got your glasses from!!!
I think I got them at Anthropologie ages ago!
The Old Fashioned is an all time favorite cocktail that I usually indulge in most through fall/winter. The addition of fresh seasonal fruit is the best excuse to add it to my summer rotation.
Cheers!
I love New Orleans weather but Michigan is dicey. Michigan weather is the type in which a thunder cloud will erupt in a small square foot radius in order to pelt hail on a graduation party or a wedding after 5 weeks of drought. Will Luxardo Cherries assist with this unique regional problem or should we just revert to Faygo Soda and vodka?
This looks so refreshing for summer! We have a big box of peaches from a neighbor…I glad I came across this recipe <3
an old fashioned. That’s exactly what I need for this Friday. Thank you Joy!!
https://www.searedandshameless.com
Happy weekend!
Where do you recommend purchasing orange flower water besides Amazon? Looks delicious!
Keeping la croix on hand is a game changer. Boozy, syrupy cocktails are perfect for the humid late summer. This looks incredible, and I love that you add sparkling water to your old fashioneds.
so i should just hire you and you come make it for me lol
looks amazing
malinda
http://www.malindaknowles.net
I just got orange flower water! And then you post this. The universe is telling me I need a cocktail tonight.
I love this idea. I sent your post to my husband, who’s the resident drink maker, and my mother-in-law, who’s an old fashioned fan. Thanks for the idea, Joy. Hopefully I get to enjoy one soon!
This post is everything I love. Great writing, Peach-Pear La Croix and Luxardo cherries. Love love love!
What a classic looking drink, would definitely serve this for my friends! x
https://flareaforte.blogspot.co.uk
I am not afraid of night thunder! Sexiest thing ever.
Valid point. Valid point.
You have an incredible way with words that make everyday moments funny and relatable. I love the idea of pairing peaches with bourbon. While I don’t have a covered porch, I’ll happily sip this while lazily swinging on my hammock.
Is that the peach-pear la croix?? I have been drinking them for several years now, so I guess that makes me a la croix hipster, so it’s surprising and exciting to see so many others being like “omg, la croix!” Can’t wait to try this cocktail, probably this weekend, in the hot Texas sun and rain.
You are So Great. Very funny. Keep it up.
Youre so great. :)