Make this tasty and festive rose hip whiskey smash for a fall foraged cocktail that is perfect for the holiday season! Recipe reprinted with permission from Wild Drinks and Cocktails by Emily Han.
Lightly crush the rose hips using a potato masher or rolling pin.
Combine the rose hips and water in a saucepan. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and mash the rose hips with a potato masher or another mashing tool.
Strain through a fine mesh sieve and discard the solids. Measure the liquid, you should have about 1/2 cup.
Return the liquid to the saucepan and add the honey. Simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool completely. Strain through a cloth or coffee filter to catch any little hairs which can irritate the digestive system.
Rose Hip Whiskey Smash
Muddle the orange wedges with the rose hip syrup in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Add the mint leaves and lightly bruise with the muddler.
Add the bourbon and ice and shake well. Strain into a glass and garnish with the mint sprig.
Notes
If you want to preserve all the benefits of the raw honey, you can follow my recipe for rose hip syrup.