This Bourbon Persimmon Cocktail tastes like late fall in a glass! Made with bourbon, a persimmon simple syrup, and a dash of bitters, this drink is similar to an Old Fashioned...but better!
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Why I Love This Recipe
I love this Bourbon Persimmon Cocktail because it combines the smooth, rich flavors of bourbon with the sweet, fruity notes of fresh persimmons, resulting in a perfectly balanced and indulgent drink like my Peach Whiskey Sour and my Black Walnut Old Fashioned. The velvety texture, warming undertones, and refreshing hints of citrus make each sip a delightful and memorable experience.
What is a Persimmon?
There are two common varieties of Asian persimmons, the Fuyu and the Hachiya. My neighbor happens to have a Hachiya tree, so that is the variety I used for this recipe and for my Persimmon Syrup.
Hachiya persimmons are a light orange color when picked, heart or acorn-shaped, and can be astringent. They have a high amount of tannins so you do not want to bite into one until it is super soft and ripe (trust me on this one).
Fuyu persimmons are more round-shaped. They also have tannins but are much less astringent than the Hachiya variety. You can eat this type while it is still firm and more like an apple.
How do you Know When A Hachiya Persimmon is Ripe?
Hachiya persimmons will ripen at room temperature. Although you want to pick them when they are firm and light orange, you do not want to eat them yet!
You will know the fruit is ready to eat when it feels soft to the touch, like a very ripe tomato, and the color has become much darker. The leaves at the top should come off pretty easily at this point as well. If you want your persimmons to ripen faster, you can place them in a paper bag with an apple.
Are Persimmons Good For You?
Yes, persimmon fruit is good for you! They are full of vitamin A and other nutrients like thiamin, riboflavin, folate, magnesium, and phosphorous. Persimmons are also known for their high fiber content, antioxidant qualities, and possible anti-inflammatory benefits.
How to Make a Bourbon Persimmon Cocktail
Place all of the ingredients in a mixing glass with fresh ice. Stir until nice and cold. Strain into a cocktail glass with a large ice cube. Garnish with a persimmon wheel or orange peel.
How to Make a Dehydrated Persimmon Wheel
To make a dehydrated persimmon slice, take an unripened persimmon and slice it thin. Start at the bottom and work up to the top to get the star shape in the middle. Place the slices on a dehydrator tray and dehydrate for 6-8 hours at 135°F.
You can also make dried persimmon slices in the oven. Place the slices on a baking sheet and bake in the oven at 200°F for 3-4 hours, flipping every hour.
More Bourbon/Whiskey Cocktail Recipes You Might Like
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Bourbon Persimmon Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 ounces bourbon
- ½ ounce persimmon syrup
- 2-3 dashes orange bitters
- dried persimmon wheel or orange peel for garnish
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a mixing glass with fresh ice. Stir until nice and cold.
- Strain into a cocktail glass with a large ice cube. Garnish with a persimmon wheel or orange peel. Cheers!
Notes
Nutrition
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Claire says
we made this altering the recipe to equal parts rye whiskey and club soda. doubled the amount of the persimmon syrup. Excellent. also used a non astringent variety of persimmon that we grow. my new favorite cocktail!
Emily says
Awesome, Claire! That's awesome that you have a persimmon tree and can make this all the time. Cheers!🥃