Solstice

About the Solstice

Built around Timber Creek Florida Black Rye Whiskey, the Solstice is a stirred, aromatic cocktail that blends the rye with Dubonnet Rouge, Nonino amaro, house grenadine, and a small measure of Laird’s Bonded Apple Brandy (a non Timber Creek product used here as a co-ingredient). The result is a coupe glass sipper with a spicy, orchard fruited character built for cooler evenings. The rye’s peppery grain notes anchor the drink, while Dubonnet contributes a wine like sweetness and Nonino’s bittersweet herbal edge keeps things from tipping into candy territory.

The apple brandy adds a soft orchard fruit undertone that plays against the rye’s spice, and the grenadine deepens the color and rounds out the finish. Timber Creek’s black rye is distilled and blended on the Crestview farm through the distillery’s PureBlend process, giving it a full bodied, spice forward profile that stands up well to the amaro and fortified wine here rather than fading into the background. To make it, stir the rye, Dubonnet, apple brandy, Nonino, and grenadine with ice until the mixing glass frosts over, then strain into a chilled coupe.

No garnish is required, though a twist of orange peel is a reasonable addition if you want a little aromatic lift. It is a good match for roasted vegetables or grilled chicken, and it works surprisingly well alongside goat cheese or a lemon tart if you want to carry it into dessert. Consider it a cool weather, slow sipping cocktail rather than a warm afternoon pour.

Take a moment before pouring to smell the mixing glass once everything is combined; the interplay of rye spice, orchard fruit, and herbal amaro is easier to appreciate with a slow nose than a quick sip, and it sets expectations for the layered finish that follows. Enjoy the Solstice thoughtfully and pace yourself, especially with a spirit forward recipe like this one.

Built around Timber Creek Florida Black Rye Whiskey, the Solstice is a stirred, aromatic cocktail that blends the rye with Dubonnet Rouge, Nonino amaro, house grenadine, and a small measure of Laird’s Bonded Apple Brandy (a non Timber Creek product used here as a co-ingredient). The result is a coupe glass sipper with a spicy, orchard fruited character built for cooler evenings. The rye’s peppery grain notes anchor the drink, while Dubonnet contributes a wine like sweetness and Nonino’s bittersweet herbal edge keeps things from tipping into candy territory.

The apple brandy adds a soft orchard fruit undertone that plays against the rye’s spice, and the grenadine deepens the color and rounds out the finish. Timber Creek’s black rye is distilled and blended on the Crestview farm through the distillery’s PureBlend process, giving it a full bodied, spice forward profile that stands up well to the amaro and fortified wine here rather than fading into the background. To make it, stir the rye, Dubonnet, apple brandy, Nonino, and grenadine with ice until the mixing glass frosts over, then strain into a chilled coupe.

No garnish is required, though a twist of orange peel is a reasonable addition if you want a little aromatic lift. It is a good match for roasted vegetables or grilled chicken, and it works surprisingly well alongside goat cheese or a lemon tart if you want to carry it into dessert. Consider it a cool weather, slow sipping cocktail rather than a warm afternoon pour.

Take a moment before pouring to smell the mixing glass once everything is combined; the interplay of rye spice, orchard fruit, and herbal amaro is easier to appreciate with a slow nose than a quick sip, and it sets expectations for the layered finish that follows. Enjoy the Solstice thoughtfully and pace yourself, especially with a spirit forward recipe like this one.