These Balcones signature cocktails offer a taste of Texas pride.
Texans take pride in not just being Texan, but also in all things Texan, from the clay-stained waters of the Red River to the grapefruit of the Rio Grande Valley to our whiskey. Perhaps first among the Lone Star State’s whiskey distillers is Balcones. Established in Waco, Texas, in 2008, Balcones is the first Texas distillery to distill and bottle its whiskey in-state, and it’s racked up accolade after accolade ever since. Perhaps its most famed release is Baby Blue Corn Whisky. Made from roasted blue corn and bearing notes of bright fruits, chiles, and cotton candy, Baby Blue is a potent spirit with a long, peppery finish. It’s bold and it’s complex. Here are two Balcones Baby Blue Corn Whisky signature cocktails to mix up at home.
Libertine
1¾ ounces lemon juice
¼ ounce orange juice
1 ounce rosemary simple syrup
1 teaspoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon orange marmalade
1 egg white
Ice
2 ounces Baby Blue Corn Whisky
Lemon twist, for garnish
Rosemary sprig, for garnish
Mix juices, syrups, marmalade, and egg white in a cocktail shaker. Shake until frothy. Add ice and Baby Blue. Shake until cold. Strain and serve with lemon twist and rosemary sprig.
Without a Doubt
2 ounces Baby Blue Corn Whisky
¾ ounce grenadine
¾ ounce lemon juice
Lemon twist, for garnish
Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake. Double-strain into a cocktail glass and serve with lemon twist.
For more information on Balcones Distilling, vist the distillery’s website.
Photography: Courtesy Balcones Distilling