We want to thank Lino from Upstairs on the Square for sharing this recipe with us, particularly the Marinated Maraschino Cherries (detailed below) which he has never shared with anyone. We are honored, Lino. Thank you.

Ingredients

For the Old Fashioned

• 2 oz rye or bourbon whiskey
• 1 sugar cube
• several dashes Angostura bitters

For Upstairs on the Square's new spin on the Old Fashioned

• 2 oz rye or bourbon whiskey
• 1 sugar cube
• 3 wedges of orange (2 for muddling, 1 for garnish)
• several dashes Angostura bitters
• ½ oz house-made maraschino cherry marinade (recipe below)
• 3 marinated cherries for garnish

For the Marinated Maraschino Cherries (makes a large batch you can have on hand to enjoy)

• 8 oz organic grape juice
• 6-10 oz lemon juice (to taste)
• 3 stalks of lemongrass, cut small & bruised (with a meat tenderizer, hammer, whatever you have on hand)
• 16 oz demarara (raw) sugar
• 32 oz water
• 1 tbsp anise seeds
• 2 tbsp almond extract
• enough cherries to fill 2 32-oz containers AFTER you've put the rest of ingredients in the containers

How-to