The Summer Elixir Cocktail
This high-altitude whiskey cocktail is bold, herbal, and invigorating—perfect for those who thrive where the air is thin and the stakes are high. It combines the warming depth of whiskey with unexpected alpine flavors that evoke the crisp mountain air, towering peaks, and the resilience of those who call the high country home.
Equipment
- cocktail shaker
- Strainer
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Rye Whiskey for a spicy kick
- 1/2 ounce Cloudberry liqueur substitute with mix of apricot brandy & lemon
- 1/2 ounce Pine liqueur or 1/4 oz Zirbenz Stone Pine Liqueur & 1/4 oz Green Chartreuse
- 1/2 ounce smoked honey syrup honey mixed with smoked water
- 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 2 dashes bitters
- 1 sprig fresh thyme garnish
- 1 pinch sea salt
Instructions
- Combine the rye whiskey, cloudberry liqueur, pine liqueur, smoked honey syrup, fresh lemon juice, and bitters in a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled coupe glass or over a large rock in a smoked glass (optional but highly recommended—use a torch and a fire-safe plate to lightly char a sprig of thyme and cover the glass with it for a few seconds).
- Garnish with a fresh sprig of thyme and a tiny pinch of sea salt to enhance the mountain-mineral flavor profile.
This drink tastes like a story, much like HBOMax’s Elevation—full of mystery, strength, and the haunting beauty of the unknown.
