The following cocktail was one of the winning entries from our Catoctin Creek / CHILLED Magazine Bartender Competition in 2022!  We had over 50 submissions to the contest, and this was one of the best!

NEW YORK

1st Place: Megan Marshall

The Pioneer

Ingredients: 

• 2 oz Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye
• 1/4 oz Elderflower Liqueur
• 1 oz Lemon Juice
• 3/4 oz Honey-Peppercorn Syrup*
• 3/4 oz Aquafaba
• Rose water rinse
• Cherry and cracked pepper for garnish 

Preparation: Add a small amount of rose water to the bottom of a coupe glass. Give it a rinse and discard any remaining liquid. Then, place a brandied cherry in the bottom of the glass and set it aside. Next, add all other ingredients (except the cracked pepper garnish) into a shaker tin. Shake without ice for a few seconds. Then, add ice and shake again. Fine strain the cocktail into the coupe, and garnish with a sprinkle of cracked pepper. Cheers! 

*Honey-Peppercorn Syrup: Combine one cup of honey, one cup of water, and 3 tablespoons of black peppercorns over medium-high heat. Stir until the honey fully combines with the water. Once the mixture comes to a boil, lower the heat, and let it simmer for five minutes. Then, take it off the heat and let it cool completely. Strain into another container and discard the peppercorns.