PDT’s Bacon-Infused Old Fashioned

The following is a drink invented by Don Lee, the Beverage Director at PDT, called the Bacon Old-Fashioned. PDT, which stands for Please Don’t Tell, is a New York Hotspot that is known for its creative cocktails and hotdogs.

FOR THE BOURBON- BACON INFUSION:

• 3 or 4 slices bacon, or enough to render 1 ounce of fat (PDT uses Benton’s, but any extra-smoky variety will do)
• 1 750-ml. bottle of bourbon such as Four Roses Yellow Label

FOR THE OLD FASHIONED:

• 2 ounces bacon-infused bourbon
• 1/4 ounce Grade B maple syrup
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Twist of orange

FOR THE BACON-INFUSED BOURBON: Cook bacon in pan and reserve rendered fat. (1) When bacon fat has cooled a bit, pour off one ounce from pan. (2) Pour bourbon into a non-porous container. (3) Strain the bacon fat into the container and infuse for 4 to 6 hours at room temperature. Place mixture in freezer until all the fat is solidified. With a slotted spoon, remove fat and strain mixture back into bottle.

FOR THE COCKTAIL: In mixing glass, stir 2 ounces bacon-infused bourbon, maple syrup, and bitters with ice. Strain into chilled rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with orange twist.

This recipe and video are from New York Magazine. I would also like to thank long time reader Lisa for bringing this drink to my attention. I will see if I can get them to make this at the Pittsburgh Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival.