Summer Rye

It's difficult to find a drink that appeals to almost anyone, but the Summer Rye comes pretty close. The drink blends the complex, spicy flavors of rye whiskey with the sweetness of apple juice and St. Germain elderflower liqueur to create a refreshing cocktail that's perfect for date nights or summer shindigs.

STIR makes a great version of the classic cocktail, which bartender Mickenzy Smith says is a nice, refreshing drink that's very popular among customers, both male and female. "It pairs well with a bright afternoon and a nice wooden porch," he says.

Although the restaurant keeps the quantities it uses secret, I found that the following amounts make for a truly tasty drink, but feel free to play around based on your preferences.

The Secret of the Drink

This drink is better if made with freshly squeezed or pressed juices. For those not wanting to invest in a juicer, here are our tips for making it at home:Lemons can be squeezed with handled presses or reamers. Squeeze ahead of time to avoid awkward pauses when company comes over.Apples can be pressed through a sieve after boiling to juice. The juice can be filtered after being pressed to get a lighter color.

What you need:

1 ounces George Dickel Rye Whiskey

ounce St. Germain elderflower liqueur

ounce simple syrup

ounce lemon juice

1 ounce apple juice

Sparkling wine, to top (about ounce)

What you do:

Put first five ingredients into cocktail shaker with ice and shake. Strain into a chilled glass and top with sparkling wine.

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