Honey Hive Mule

Today is July 24^th, and in Utah we know it as Pioneer Day. For many Utahn’s, Pioneer Day serves as a day to celebrate the arrival of the first settlers, who came to the Salt Lake Valley back in 1847.

 There will be rodeos, bands, food and fireworks along with the Days of ’47 Parade that first appeared in 1849. The parade brings the streets alive downtown with floats, horses, marching bands and many Utahn’s dressed as their pioneer ancestors with bonnets on the ladies and cowboy Wild West attire for the gentlemen. 

Some of the classic Utah dishes we are best known for are our Funeral Potatoes, Fry Sauce, Jello, (especially green), Bear Lake raspberries and of course, honey. It is the beehive state after all and we wear our title proudly. The beehive represents progress and hard work (busy as a bee) and the state motto is "Industry" and is displayed front and center on the state flag and seal.

While thinking of a way to incorporate our local products into a refreshing summer drink to beat the heat, I thought of honey, whiskey and produce from the farmer's market near my house.

Miller's Honey is family owned and has been bottling raw clover honey in Utah since 1894.

High West , Utah's first distillery was established in the 1870's. High West Distillery and Saloon offers a truly unique experience as the world's only ski-in distillery and gastro-saloon. They are located at exactly 7,000 feet in the Wasatch Range of the Rocky Mountains in Old Town Park City. This is the area of Park City that holds the Sundance Film Festival every year and brings all the glitz and glam of Hollywood to our small mountain town.

The combination above inspired me to make a twist on one of my favorite cocktails, the Kentucky Mule. I named my version the Honey Hive Mule and think you will enjoy the added richness and sweetness the honey brings to this cocktail.

Ingredients:

2 parts High West Double Rye Whiskey

1 part fresh lime juice

1 part ginger honey simple syrup

4 mint leaves

3 parts ginger beer

Ginger Honey Simple Syrup:

Stir 1/2 cup of Miller's honey and 1/2 cup of water in a small saucepan over medium heat until combined. Add an ounce of peeled, fresh ginger and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes, remove from heat and strain.

Store your simple syrup in a squeeze bottle in the fridge for about a month. I've heard you can add a tablespoon of strong liquor like vodka or whiskey before bottling to extend the shelf life to up to 3 months, but I have not tried this myself yet. Comment below and let me know your results if you try this. 

Method:

Mix whiskey, lime juice, simple syrup and mint leaves into a rocks glass or copper mug and muddle together. Pour the ginger beer over the top to fill and stir. Garnish with a lime wedge, mint sprig and serve.

I hope you enjoy this cocktail on a lazy summer day, relaxing and enjoying the beauty around you these last few summer days.

Xo,

Amelia