Dusty Old Hymnal Cocktail from the Shaker and Spoon Speakeasy Episode 2 Box
- Apr 1
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 3
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
The Cocktail Recipe from Shaker & Spoon
Source: Shaker & Spoon Brochure
It’s fun to think about someone’s first taste of one of our great cocktails like the whiskey sour through the ages. The savvy sailor who, one night, arrived at the perfect proportions despite dwindling ra-tions; one sneaky sip during the driest heights of Prohibition; or the aughts undergrad keyed into the art of cocktailing after semesters of shots and swill. Simpler times and a quite simple formula from the very beginning. What’s on offer in this very much in-the-now rye sour from Damon Boelte is a boldly seasoned rooibos tea brimming with orange peel and spices such as cinnamon, licorice, anise, and clove. The book on this simple citrus-sweet-spirit style of drink is long and well-worn, but Damon’s always looking for a new spin. Join him by serving his riff whichever way you’d like: up or on the rocks!
INGREDIENTS
2 oz rye whiskey
1/2 oz spiced rooibos syrup
3/4 oz super lemon juice
• serves 1 cocktail•
METHOD
Add all the ingredients to a shaker. Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake vigorously until it is ice-cold and shows frost on the outside (15-30 seconds).
Double strain the shaker's contents into a chilled coupe (without ice).
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
How We Feel About the Cocktail
Dusty Old Hymnal: A Rooibos‑Kissed Rye Sour with a Story to Tell
Some cocktails feel like rediscovering a familiar melody—something you’ve heard before, but suddenly it hits different. The Dusty Old Hymnal from Shaker & Spoon’s Episode 2 box is exactly that kind of drink. A riff on the classic whiskey sour, it carries the weight of history in its structure but sings with a modern, spice‑forward twist thanks to Damon Boelte’s boldly seasoned rooibos syrup.
It’s the kind of cocktail that reminds you why simple formulas endure. Spirit. Citrus. Sweetener. And then someone—somewhere between a sailor rationing lemons and a Prohibition‑era rebel sneaking a sip—decides to add a little something new. In this case, that “something” is rooibos tea infused with orange peel, cinnamon, licorice, anise, and clove. A whole spice cabinet of warmth folded into a single syrup.
Serve it up or on the rocks. Either way, it’s a hymn worth revisiting.
Our Tasting Notes
Nancy Fae’s Take: Fresh, Layered, and Bright
On the Nose
The first inhale is all spirit and spice—apple‑cinnamon warmth rising from the glass. It smells fresh, almost orchard‑like, with a whisper of the rooibos syrup’s complexity underneath.
On the Palate
The rye leads, but the citrus snaps right behind it. Tart, fruity, and layered in a way that feels intentional. The rooibos syrup adds depth without heaviness—like a tea note that’s been dressed up for a night out.
On the Finish
Clean. Refreshing. A quick exhale that leaves you ready for the next sip.
Jeff’s Take: Earthy, Herbal, and Comforting
On the Nose
Cinnamon. Lemon. Earth. Herbal warmth. And then—unexpectedly—leather. The rye’s spice folds into the rooibos blend, creating a scent that feels nostalgic and grounded.
On the Palate
Crisp and refreshing with a soft sweetness reminiscent of iced tea. The rooibos flowers show up here, giving the drink an earthy, almost meditative quality.
On the Finish
Sweetness lingers, but gently. The rye peeks through at the end with a little spice, a little warmth, and a lot of character.
Why This Cocktail Works
The Dusty Old Hymnal is a study in balance.
• The rye brings structure and spice.
• The lemon brightens everything.
• The rooibos syrup adds depth, warmth, and a sense of story.
It’s a cocktail that feels familiar but not predictable—like flipping through an old hymnal and finding a handwritten note in the margins. Something personal. Something lived‑in. Something worth keeping.
For us, it’s a reminder that even the simplest formulas can surprise you when someone dares to add a new verse.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
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Great post!