Arancia Rush Cocktail

 On the TODAY show by Katie Stilo - we enjoyed this on a hot summer afternoon - sorry no candied orange peel as we had none on hand!

This is my rendition of the classic Gold Rush cocktail, which typically contains bourbon, honey simple syrup and lemon juice. While recently in Italy, I discovered many different flavored/infused honeys at the local markets, one being orange blossom honey. I switched out classic honey and used orange honey to make the sweetener for this drink. To boost the orange flavor even more, I added a splash of orange liqueur and a splash of citrus juices for some acidity. If you want this drink to be a bit stronger, add less orange juice. On the opposite end, if you would like to have less of a bourbon taste, add more orange juice.

2½ cups bourbon 

1/2 cup orange-honey simple syrup ( equal portions orange blossom honey and water)

1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice 

2 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice 

1 ounce orange liqueur (Cointreau)

candied orange peel, for garnish (optional)

In a quart-sized Mason jar, stir the bourbon, simple syrup, orange juice, lime juice and orange liqueur to combine. 

To serve, fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add 2 ounces and shake vigorously. 

Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass and garnish with candied orange peel