De Rigueur

This is a classic combination that you find over and over again: grapefruit juice, honey, whiskey. It's the Brown Derby, its a whiskey version of so many gin drinks as well. This mix is so universal that it earned the name de Rigueur, meaning "that which is expected."

Of course you could just follow the recipe as written and add the honey (or honey syrup, as is more practical when it comes to shaken drinks sweetened with honey. But I have this honey bourbon that is perfect for the job. I made it by soaking a honeycomb in a bottle of bourbon and coming up with this silly old-fashioned snake oil label. The balance with the half oz. of grapefruit juice was perfect. Not too sweet and not, as I feared, too sour. I have to think that any mass marketed honey whiskey should be just as balanced, so have at it with your Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey or Wild Turkey Honey.

• 2 oz. bourbon or blended whiskey (homemade honey bourbon used)
• 1/2 oz. grapefruit juice
• 2 tsp. honey (dissolved in 1 tsp. warm water if not using a honey whiskey)

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.