The thrill of riding on a motorcycle through country roads takes liquid form in our Vandal Cocktail. This recipe is inspired by the film The Bikeriders, transporting you to the heart of 1960s motorcycle culture with a drink as bold and complex as the film itself. Our Vandal Cocktail is a smoky, citrusy concoction built around a base of Old Grand-Dad 114 bourbon. Cinnamon simple syrup adds a touch of warmth, while muddled orange juice and cherry bitters create a sweet and tart balance. Though, its the garnish that brings this rebellious cocktail to life. It’s topped with a luxurious Luxardo cherry and a torched cinnamon stick, adding a touch of smoky drama that embodies the spirit of the film.
What is The Bikeriders About?
Dive into the world of 1960s Midwestern motorcycle culture, following the rise and transformation of the Vandals Motorcycle Club. Seen through the eyes of its members and their families, The Bikeriders charts the club’s evolution from a local gathering place for outsiders into a potentially dangerous underworld. Witness the struggle between the founder’s original vision of camaraderie and the change to a more sinister path that threatens the core of the biker brotherhood. The story, starring Austin Butler, Tom Hardy, and Mike Faist, captures both the thrill of the open road and the potential darkness that can lurk beneath the surface, making our Vandal Cocktail the perfect accompaniment. The film releases in theaters on June 21, 2024.
Vandal, A Cocktail for The Bikeriders Recipe
Vandal Cocktail Ingredients
- 2 oz Old Grand-Dad 114
- 1 tsp cinnamon simple syrup (recipe below)
- 4 dashes cherry bitters
- 1 ½ tbsp fresh squeezed orange juice
- Turbinado sugar cubes
- Splash of soda water
- 1 Luxardo Cherry
- Smoked cinnamon stick
Cocktail Preparation Instructions
- In a Rocks glass, muddle together 1 turbinado sugar cube, orange juice, cinnamon simple syrup, cherry bitters, and soda water.
- Add in a large ice cube and pour in bourbon.
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick that you have torched one end, a luxardo cherry and an optional turbinado sugar cube.
Cinnamon Simple Syrup Recipe
Cinnamon Simple Syrup Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups brown sugar, packed
- 2 cups filtered water
- 4 cassia cinnamon sticks
Simple Syrup Preparation Instructions
- In a small saucepan, bring the water and sugar to a boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
- Reduce heat and add cinnamon sticks. Simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- Remove from heat. Allow the syrup to come to room temperature. Then pour into a container.
- Refrigerate. This Cinnamon Simple Syrup will last up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator or will last longer if you add a tablespoon of vodka or rum.
Story by Kylie Thomas / Recipe and Styling by Sarah Cascone / Photography by Dave Bryce
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