We probably could have waited until November to post this cocktail, but a decent drink is good any time, and the name is not really the point. The Democrat appears in the 2018 Holiday issue of Imbibe Magazine and was apparently created by Jon Sanger of Prizefighter in Emeryville, CA. We’ve never been there, but Prizefighter looks super fun and has a fantastic menu with original drinks and classics like the Jack Rose and the Brandy Crusta.

The Democrat is basically a honey-peach whiskey sour. We used a 100-proof bourbon but you could use what you like. Briottet Creme de Peche is a fine choice for the liqueur but there are several good options out there. This is not bottom shelf peach schnapps. The honey syrup is just honey dissolved in an equal amount of water. Together, these elements balance the lemon for a flavor that is familiar, yet upgraded. The next time we contemplate a basic whiskey sour, we may reach for something in addition to liven up the flavor. This makes for a good example of what is possible with a little creativity.

The Democrat
2 oz bourbon
.75 oz fresh lemon juice
.5 oz honey syrup (1:1)
.5 oz peach liqueur

Shake with ice to chill, then strain into a Collins glass filled with crushed ice and garnish with a lemon wheel and sprig of mint.