(Durandor) Once through the storm the weary band of adventurers fall to the ground. Surrounded by gently waving wheat they crouch and whisper about what to do next. To their left lies a dark forest, thick with black-barked trees and looming shadows. Injuries from the storm has left the group exhausted. Leonais casts Tiny Hut and Thott adds a layer of extra protection with Illusory Terrain. Noor begins to heal the many wounds of the group as they gather together and watch the orange sun melt behind the jagged mountaintops.
It was our DM’s description of the sun setting behind the dark mountains that inspired me to make this cocktail. I wanted something that was a touch sour, because that session began with the PCs fighting their way through an otherwordly storm, but also a touch sweet because once the PCs were through the storm they felt safe enough to rest in the wheat field.
This cocktail is a slight riff on The Rising Sun, which is a bourbon-based cocktail I came across from the makers of Legent Bourbon. To add my own spin, I decided to use Suntory Whisky Toki which I thought would work nicely because, while Legent is a bourbon, it has a Japanese whiskey complexity. The Suntory worked so well and played so nicely with the apricot and lemon, I forgot it was supposed to be a bourbon cocktail at all.
The apricot liqueur is not likely an ingredient you have sitting around, but it should be. It’s incredible in this cocktail and I’ve used it for several others. I’m on my third bottle.
I used Luxardo apricot liqueur because I’ve had nothing but good experiences with that brand. Their cherries and liqueurs are reliable and delicious.
The original recipe calls for a cherry garnish, but I felt it needed something different (maybe because I switched up the whiskey base). I added a slice of yellow bell pepper so as you sipped the drink you would get a fresh, acidic aroma on the nose to balance out the sweetness of the apricot and tartness of the lemon. It also worked well with the slight spice of the Suntory.
This is an exquisitely balanced cocktail, intended to be a slow sipper but do yourself a favor and make a double.
The Setting Sun
Ingredients: Makes one.
- 2.5 oz Suntory Whisky Toki (or bourbon if you like)
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1 oz Luxardo Apricot Liqueur
- .5 oz simple syrup
Recipe: Add all ingredients to shaker and shake with ice. Strain into a lowball glass with a large ice-sphere or chunk (or regular ice will also work). Garnish with a slice of yellow bell-pepper and feel the sun melt into your core.
The Bourbon Dragon 