Irish Old Fashion

Happy St. Patty's Day!  Looking for a new way to have a little Irish Whiskey, Guinness and Bailey's today that doesn't involve chugging a whole pint before it turns into alcoholic cottage cheese?  Try an Irish Old Fashion.  It does take a little preparation before hand to make the Guinness simple syrup, but its worth it in the end.  And you can always use the left over syrup on your late-night flapjack craving.

Irish Old Fashion

• 2 oz Irish whiskey
• 1/2 oz Guinness simple syrup (Recipe below)
• dash bitters
• splash of Bailey's Irish Cream (Optional)
• crushed cocoa nibs (Optional)

To garnish the glass with crushed cocoa nibs, pour the Bailey's and crushed cocoa nibs into separate shallow bowls.  First wet the lip of the glass in the Bailey's, then roll in the cocoa nibs.  It's a little backwards to prepare the drink in a glass that is already garnished but this isn't your typical Old Fashion.  Add the Guinness simple syrup and bitters to the glass.  Top with plenty of ice, then pour the whiskey over the ice.  Gently stir to combine.  Cheers!

Guinness Simple Syrup

• 12 oz Guinness
• 8 oz demerara sugar

Pour Guinness into a sauce pan.  Bring to a simmer over medium heat and reduce by 1/3 to about 8 oz.  Remove from heat and stir in sugar until dissolved.  Cool and store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. If it last that long.