The Fox River Cocktail is bourbon based – specifically, it’s based on two ounces of bourbon and not a lot else. This should tell you two things about the drink.
First, the flavor of the bourbon is going to have a lot to say about the flavor of the drink. It’s worth stepping up to a “better” blended, like Gentleman Jack. In bourbon cocktails, you typically don’t want to waste your fine single malts, but you do want to choose something that tastes good. Especially in this particular drink, where the taste of the bourbon comes through rather clearly.
The other ingredients here are a touch of creme de cacao and five dashes of Angostura bitters, which is three or four more dashes than most drink recipes call for. That means the Angostura is strong, and it takes on a flavor that’s more spicy than bitter.
The creme de cacao adds some deep, dark sweetness to the flavor of the bourbon, and the bitters add some spice and also enhance the sweetness of the cacao. So you get a drink that tastes like your chosen bourbon, only with a spicy-sweet, dark and mysterious quality added.
If you like this drink, check out The Boulevardier, a bourbon-based variation on the Negroni, and the Frisco Sour, a sweetened bourbon cocktail.
If you’re looking to pair this drink with a meal, try the Honey Bourbon Steak Tips from Spicy Southern Kitchen. The two bourbon flavors work very well together, especially if you use the same brand of bourbon you used in your drink. It’s a great combination for a dinner party.
Fox River Cocktail Recipe
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1/4 ounce brown creme de cacao
- 5 dashes Angostura bitters
Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes. Pour in all ingredients and shake until chilled. Strain into a martini glass.