how2heroes » Old & New Fashioned Cocktails

We want to thank Lino from Upstairs on the Square for sharing this recipe with us, particularly the Marinated Maraschino Cherries (detailed below) which he has never shared with anyone. We are honored, Lino. Thank you.

Ingredients

For the Old Fashioned

2 oz rye or bourbon whiskey
1 sugar cube
several dashes Angostura bitters

For Upstairs on the Square's new spin on the Old Fashioned

2 oz rye or bourbon whiskey
1 sugar cube
3 wedges of orange (2 for muddling, 1 for garnish)
several dashes Angostura bitters
½ oz house-made maraschino cherry marinade (recipe below)
3 marinated cherries for garnish

For the Marinated Maraschino Cherries (makes a large batch you can have on hand to enjoy)

8 oz organic grape juice
6-10 oz lemon juice (to taste)
3 stalks of lemongrass, cut small & bruised (with a meat tenderizer, hammer, whatever you have on hand)
16 oz demarara (raw) sugar
32 oz water
1 tbsp anise seeds
2 tbsp almond extract
enough cherries to fill 2 32-oz containers AFTER you've put the rest of ingredients in the containers

How-to

For the Old Fashioned

Put sugar cube in glass, add bitters and muddle the sugar and the bitters
Add ice and the rye whiskey or bourbon and give it a gentle stir
Put fresh ice in an old fashioned glass, strain and serve

For Upstairs on the Square's new spin on the Old Fashioned

Put 2 pieces of orange in a shaker
Add 2 house-marinated cherries (recipe below) and several dashes of Angostura bitters and muddle the orange, cherries and bitters
Add ice and rye whiskey or bourbon
Add ½ oz maraschino cherry marinade (recipe below) and shake
Put some fresh ice in an old fashioned glass, garnish the glass with an orange slice
Strain into the old fashioned glass and serve

For the Marinated Maraschino Cherries & Marinade

Heat the first 6 ingredients in a saucepan on the stove until the sugar dissolves
Stir in the almond extract
Pour liquid into 2 32-oz containers and fill remaining space in containers with fresh cherries
Marinate cherries overnight or longer

Watch this Hero's Profile Video

Augusto Lino

"Lino," as his friends and loyal customers call him, is originally from Brazil and came to New York City several years ago before settling in the Boston area as bar manager at UpStairs on the Square. Bringing back the classics and adding a twist to them as well is Lino's style. He does a great job of showing us how to make quality drinks the correct way and sharing some cocktail lore while he's at it. And look how snazzy he looks in his jacket and tie!