Joseph Magnus himself was a man of luxury, but quite the outdoorsman, so we created several cocktails that we think he’d enjoy.
Long before the name of Joseph A. Magnus became synonymous in the modern day with exceptional whiskey, the pioneering distiller found inspiration in Michigan’s untamed landscapes. His summer retreat in Oden; where he built summer cottages, a boat house, and park buildings (and where he entertained guests with fine spirits) became a sanctuary where wilderness met refinement. Today, that same spirit of adventure lives on in every bottle that bears Joseph Magnus’ name.
These outdoor-inspired cocktails pay homage to Magnus’ love of nature with flavors as bold and untamed as the Northern Michigan woods he cherished.
The Great Outdoors
An earthy, piney cocktail to ground you and instantly transport you to the woods
2 oz. Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon Whiskey
.5 oz. Curacao Cointreau
.25 oz pine liqueur
.5 oz. Benedictine
1 sprig pine
Rinse and dry pine sprig and set aside in a coupe glass. In a cocktail shaker with ice add all the liquid ingredients , and stir thoroughly. Double-strain into a chilled cocktail coupe over the pine.
Timberline Old Fashioned
Bourbon, maple, and a whisper of smoke—this is the Old Fashioned reimagined for those who answer the call of the wild.
2 oz Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon
.5 oz maple syrup
2 dashes black walnut bitters
charred orange peel
In a rocks glass, stir bourbon, maple syrup, and bitters with a large ice cube. Flame an orange peel over the drink and drop in just before serving.
The Lake House
Make sure to serve this drink inspired by the great lakes at a nearly glacial temperature.
2.5 oz Joseph Magnus Vigilant District Dry Gin
.5 oz Clear Creek Douglas Fir Eau de Vie
.25 oz honey syrup
1 dash saline solution
Blue borage flower, garnish
spruce tip, garnish
To make your own saline solution dissolve 1 tsp sea salt in ¼ cup water. Use sparingly. In a cocktail shaker, stir gin, eau de vie, honey syrup, and saline with ice until very cold. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a floating borage flower and a fresh spruce tip.
The Campfire Manhattan
A classic Manhattan, but charred at the edges like a well-seasoned cast iron skillet over flames.
2 oz Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon Whiskey
1 oz sweet vermouth
2 dashes hickory-smoked bitters
2 oz de-pitted and de-stemmed cherries
1 tbsp brown sugar
Burnt cinnamon stick, garnish
brandied cherry, garnish
In a sauce pan carmelize cherries with sugar until caramelized. Muddle 1 oz of cooked cherries in an old fashioned glass with sweet vermouth. Stir bourbon, vermouth, and bitters with ice until perfectly blended. Strain into a smoke-rinsed coupe glass. Garnish with a lightly torched cinnamon stick and a brandied cherry.
Have a favorite outdoor getaway that has inspired you lately? Let us know on Facebook or Instagram. Join our mailing list to stay up to date with the latest from Jos. A. Magnus. Wherever you get away, find our award-winning Joseph Magnus spirits at a retailer near you.
