Beer cocktails are a popular trend right now. As you may have noticed from my events, when summer comes around I like to focus my creative juices on a few beer cocktail recipes. This one stood out from the rest.

If you think you’re getting off easy on the alcohol percentage, don’t fool yourself. This cocktail packs a manly sucker punch. It’s sneaky, hidden by all those pretty floral and herbal tones. This is exactly why I named the cocktail Manly Deeds Womanly Words. Not only does it have a wonderful balance of masculine and feminine flavors, but it’s also the Maryland State motto dating all the way back to 1874.

If you plan to make this at home Smith and Cross Rum is a must. The Smith and Cross Rum in the Elephant Flip was so outstanding that it inspired me to try it in other beer cocktail recipes. I also encourage you to get creative and make the honey simple syrup. It’s easier than you might think and it adds essential flavor components to the recipe. I like to use Green Flash West Coast IPA in this recipe, but use whatever IPA you have on hand. Cheers!

Recipe

• 3/4 oz Smith and Cross Rum
• 3/4 oz Buffalo Trace Bourbon
• 1/2 oz lemon juice
• 1/2 oz Montenegro Amaro
• 1/2 oz honey syrup (1:1) with chamomile, cloves, and black peppercorns
• Dash of Post Prohibition Pick Me Up Bitters
• Dash of Angostura Bitters
• Top with 2 oz Green Flash West Coast IPA
• Garnish with a thyme sprig

Add all ingredients to a shaker tin, except the IPA and the thyme garnish. Shake with ice and strain into a 10 oz snifter or tulip glass. Top with 2 oz of Green Flash West Coast IPA. Garnish with a thyme sprig.

Honey Syrup

• 2 cups of water
• 2 cups of honey
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of cloves
• 1 1/2 teaspoons black peppercorns
• 1 1/2 tablespoons of chamomile flowers

Cook the cloves and black peppercorns on medium low heat first in the honey and water for 15 minutes. Then add chamomile and continue to cook for 5 more minutes. Strain and let cool. Bottle in a sterilized bottle.