Shift Drink
Meister-approved cocktails to try for yourself
Bang On The Drum
4 Cups water
4 Hibiscus tea bags
16 oz Orange/passion fruit frozen concentrate, thawed
4 oz Lemon juice
1 cup sugar
1 cup Jägermeister
1 Cup California brandy
Club Soda
Method: Boil water in a pot. Once the water reaches a boil, add tea bags and steep for 10 minutes. Remove tea bags and add sugar to the hot water and mix until completely dissolved—Transfer tea and sugar to a half-gallon container or larger with lid. Add thawed juice concentrate, lemon juice, Jägermeister, and brandy. Mix again, preferably with a hand blender or whisk. Cover with the top, and place in the freezer overnight.
Preparation: Remove from the freezer, and with an ice cream scoop, scoop out the frozen mixture, and place it into a rocks glass, about ¾ full. Top with club soda and garnish with lemon and orange wheels.
TIPS & TRICKS
Following the recipe precisely is essential. If the ratios are off, the batch will not freeze correctly. If the sugar to spirit/water ratio (sugar content or Brix level) is off, the batch will freeze solid, or not freeze enough. You want the batch to freeze to snow cone texture. For juice concentrate, I recommend using a passion fruit/orange blend; however, frozen O.J. concentrate will work as well. For the tea, I love the hibiscus in this drink; you can easily substitute a different tea if you choose, as well as replacing your favorite whiskey in place of the brandy. For the mixer, I recommend club soda, even in a traditional Brandy Slush. Other popular mixers are lemon-lime soda, Squirt, and ginger ale. The base is the frozen batch; if you like some more sweetness, try a different soda or even a spicy ginger beer.
Inspiration
Growing up in Wisconsin, The Brandy Old Fashioned, a classic deserving as much respect as the traditional Old Fashioned, is a staple at any gathering. However, a lesser-known Wisconsin classic is the Brandy Slush. It's kind of like an adult snow cone. Growing up, there was always a re-purposed ice cream pail in the freezer of the family recipe. The Brandy Slush was a combination of California brandy, tea, frozen lemonade, and orange juice concentrate, water, and sugar… frozen, and scooped into a glass and topped with your favorite soda mixer (Squirt was preferred in my family). The Brandy Slush has a sweetness, paired with the botanicals of the tea and the tartness of the fruit concentrate that was great for a hot summer night, middle of winter holiday gatherings, and of course… tailgate parties! Inspired by the start of football season, and a recent trip home for a family gathering, I was inspired to re-create this Wisconsin classic with our beloved Jägermeister. The name "Bang on the Drum" is about the greatest touchdown song in football, "Bang On The Drum" by Todd Rundgren. Go Pack Go!!
