The Lush Chef

I feel truly blessed to be living in Southern California and have sunshine nearly all year round.  While my friends and family have been shivering with grey skies in other parts of the country, we've been experiencing 70 degree weather and gorgeous sunsets.  While I can't bring the good weather to them, this Sage Brown Derby from Bon Appetit is a great wintry cocktail that recalls sunnier days and will take away the gloom.  There are plenty of fruit juices (grapefruit and lime) in it, along with agave syrup, so it's healthy, right?  Putting such a savory herb as sage in a cocktail may sound odd, but trust me, it works.  It gives it just the right pungent note to offset the sweetness.  I just loved it in this Summer Sage Cocktail that helped transition me out of the season into fall.  I'm looking forward to shaking this up for my girl friends for winter brunches.

Sage Brown Derby 
Ingredients:

• 2 oz rye whiskey (I used Redemption Rye)
• 1 oz fresh red or pink grapefruit juice (I used pink)
• 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
• 1/4 oz agave syrup
• 2 oz orange bitters (I used Fee Brothers' West Indian Orange)
• Sage leaf, for garnish

- In a shaker filled with ice, add the whiskey, grapefruit and lime juices, agave and bitters.
- Shake, shake, shake and strain into a chilled coupe glass (p.s. - I like to double strain when dealing with fruit juices to remove pulp or any stray seeds).
- Slap the sage leaf between your palms a couple of times until it's fragrant and float on top of the drink.