The Lush Chef

In my earlier posting about Cynar, I had mentioned this cocktail from The Roosevelt Hotel's Library Bar as being one of my favorites that contains this Italian artichoke-based bitter.  Well, I've done a little experimenting, and while it doesn't taste as perfect or look as pretty as Matt Biancaniello's, it's still pretty darn tasty.  You'll need some lavender simple syrup for this cocktail, so you can either make it or try hunting for it in some specialty gourmet store.  I recommend the former, because it's less expensive and far more impressive to your guests.  I recently whipped up a bunch of these at a cocktail party and the guys went nuts—they were looking for a bourbon cocktail that was slightly sweet and light to start the evening off, and this fit the bill.

Kentucky Bubble Bath - serves 1
Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon - Matt uses Bulleit and I do too!
• 1/2 oz Cynar
• 1/3 oz lavender simple syrup - can add more if you like it sweeter
• Squeeze of lemon juice
• Lavender sprig for garnish

- Add all ingredients into a shaker glass, and shake away.  Strain over ice.
- Garnish with a lavender sprig.