Greg Hojnacki is more than familiar with the bourbon cocktail canon. At the Garden & Gun Club at Stitzel-Weller Distillery, Louisville’s legendary bourbon plant, he’s the man in charge of delivering an exciting menu of riffs on the American spirit. As a former tour guide at the distillery, he infuses every drink with a touch of history. But he says the Club today is also a place of innovation, exemplified by the label Blade and Bow. The best way to taste its past-meets-present approach is in Hojnacki’s version of a Paper Plane.
A Perfect Paper Plane Cocktail
Paper Plane (Yield: 1 cocktail)
¾ oz. rosemary-infused Blade and Bow bourbon (recipe follows)
¾ oz. Aperol
¾ oz. Amaro Nonino
¾ oz. fresh lime juice
1 bar spoon of simple syrup
Lime peel, for garnish
Preparation
- In a shaker with ice, combine all ingredients. Shake vigorously. Finely strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with lime peel.
- To make the rosemary-infused bourbon: Place 2 small rosemary sprigs in 6 oz. of Blade and Bow bourbon. Allow to infuse for 24 hours in the fridge. Finely strain and store in a new container.