You'll Love This Cocktail (I sure do)

Maple-Bourbon Smash
(Makes 2 drinks)

Bourbon-Maple Smash

Ingredients:
1 ounce maple syrup
2 ounces fresh orange juice
1/2 - 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
8 dashes bitters
1 slice orange, about 1/2 inch thick, plus more slices for garnish
4 ounces bourbon
Ice
Sparkling water, chilled

Instructions:
In a small pitcher or cocktail shaker, combine the syrup, orange juice, lemon juice and bitters. Add the orange slice and muddle lightly. Add bourbon and stir well. Divide mixture into two rocks glasses. Fill the glasses with ice, top with sparkling water and garnish with a half-slice of orange.

NOTE: I made a non-alcoholic version, too, for a non-drinker, and it was pretty darn good, too! Just don't add bourbon; all else is the same.

My cocktail obsession of the week

This is called a Sweet Tea Sour -- a re-creation of the one I had at Table in Asheville NC. It's super easy to make; in fact, I make up a small batch and keep it in the fridge so it's ready for the 5 o'clock hour.
Here's the recipe for one drink, but it can be made in multiples of two, four, whatever.

Sweet Tea Sour

1 1/2 ounces good quality bourbon
1/2 ounce Amaretto
Juice of 1/2 lemon
4 ounces sweetened (black) tea, or 4 ounces unsweetened tea and simple syrup, to taste
--Combine all ingredients in a small jar or cocktail shaker; shake well. Pour over ice in a tall glass and garnish with fruit of your choice.