21c was founded in Bourbon Country. In fact, our first hotel, 21c Louisville, is housed in what was once 5 bourbon & tobacco warehouses.
Each September, we celebrate our beloved liquid gold across all of our restaurants with special cocktail menus and more. For those who want to continue those celebrations at home, we’ve got you there too. We have a great bourbon collection here at The Hive and invite you to come in and try them out! Our rotating cocktail menu always features at least one bourbon cocktail. However, The Black Dahlia sticks around as it is always a popular choice! We are sharing the recipe with you, so you can enjoy it in the comfort of your home!
The Black Dahlia
1.25 oz Old Grand-dad Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon
1.0 oz Calvados
.5 oz Bonal Quinquina Aperitif
.5 oz Blackberry and Red Wine Reduction*
2 dashes Orange Bitters
1 barspoon Islay Scotch
Instructions: In a mixing glass combine the ingredients. Stir briefly with ice, you want a little less dilution on this cocktail. Strain into a coupe.
Garnish with an orange peel.
*Blackberry and Red Wine Reduction
Ingredients:
200 grams white granulated sugar
200 grams whole blackberries
2 cups of merlot
In a sauce pot, add the blackberries and using a muddler or a masher, smash them up to release their juices. Add 1 cup of the merlot and half of the sugar. Cook this mixture on medium high heat for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, add the rest of the wine and the sugar and decrease the heat down slowly over a few minutes until you are at a low simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes. After cooking strain the reduction through a chinois or strainer into an open, heat-proof container and immediately put the container in the fridge uncovered until it cools. Once cooled, cover and store for up to a week.