Frost & Ember Julep

A wintery reimagining of the classic mint julep, the Frost & Ember Julep layers warm spice with zesty citrus and a refreshing pop of ginger. Rich bourbon gets a creamy mouthfeel from a brown-butter fat wash, while an orange-cinnamon syrup brings both brightness and coziness. House-made ginger liqueur provides peppery depth, balanced with a subtle, smoky lapsang souchong tea tincture. The drink is crowned with a fragrant orange-cinnamon-mint foam and showered with candied ginger dust, served over crushed ice for that essential julep chill. Served in: Chilled silver or copper julep cup Ingredients: - 2 oz Brown-butter fat-washed bourbon (see prep below) - 0.5 oz House-made orange-cinnamon syrup (see prep below) - 0.5 oz Ginger liqueur (homemade, if possible) - 2 dashes lapsang souchong tea tincture (see prep below) - 6 mint leaves (plus more for garnish) - Orange-cinnamon-mint foam (see prep below) - Candied ginger, finely grated (for garnish) - Crushed ice Preparations: Brown-butter fat-washed bourbon: Gently melt 2 oz brown butter per 750ml bourbon, combine, infuse for 4 hours, freeze, and strain out solids. Orange-cinnamon syrup: Simmer equal parts sugar and water with orange zest (1 orange per cup), 3 cinnamon sticks, and a pinch of clove for 15 minutes. Cool and fine-strain. Lapsang souchong tincture: Infuse 1/4 cup lapsang souchong tea in 1/2 cup high-proof vodka for 3 days. Strain and bottle. Foam: Combine 2 oz orange-cinnamon syrup, 1 oz ginger liqueur, 1 oz water, egg white, and a handful of mint leaves. Charge in a siphon with N2O. Chill thoroughly before use. Assembly: 1. In a julep cup, lightly muddle mint leaves with orange-cinnamon syrup. 2. Add ginger liqueur, brown-butter bourbon, lapsang tincture, and fill halfway with crushed ice. 3. Stir gently, then top with more crushed ice to mound above the rim. 4. Crown with a generous cap of orange-cinnamon-mint foam. 5. Garnish with a mint sprig, orange zest twist, and a dusting of finely grated candied ginger. The Frost & Ember Julep evokes the hush of winter with a bright, spicy fire—bringing julep tradition into the heart of the colder seasons.