it can sting.

All I know is, it’s Mothers Day weekend and this weekend can be very difficult and different for each one of us. Mother’s Day isn’t all sunshine, flowers, & kisses from or for your mom.

Sometimes its dark, difficult, sad, distant & not worth getting into.

We all have our reasons & decisions for why this weekend can be more difficult than others – so please just remember to be respectful & kind. None of us know what someone else is going thru when it comes to this holiday, or any other for that matter!

Now that I’ve gotten THAT out of the way – its story time! ((everyone’s favorite))

storytime part 2

THEN IN JUNE 2020….at the height of the pandemic. Chris & I were trying to “spread the wealth” if you will, to all our favorite small businesses. Plus, Virginia was a fucking bad-ass state that was like “HENCEFORTH, Alcohol & Alcoholic Beverages will be TO-GO!” ……shit has never been the same since.

So anyway, we were surfing the internet / Instagram because how else did people get updates or information during those dark times? We saw that one of our favorite local distilleries (Ironclad, in Newport News VA) was graduating from making foul-smelling hand sanitizer and making “Cocktail Batches To Go” – not gonna lie, that was RIGHT UP our alley.

The absolute funniest part about these Cocktail Batches was that they boasted making 4 beverages, had all the ingredients included (yes, and the alcohol) and they gave the choice of pickup (free) or delivery for an additional $10. WELL YOU CAN GUESS WHAT WE CHOSE.

Ironclad isn’t “far” from us, but with everything being closed and COVID still running rampant, we opted for the extra $10 delivery rather than the 40 minute drive. To quote Biggie, “it was all a dream”. I had found myself another version of the Bee Sting to love & cherish.

It was beautiful. It was very different than my experience with The Hunt Room version of the Bee Sting I had previously known & loved.

Ironclad’s take on The Bee Sting still lives rent-free in my head. And for good reason because after that cocktail delivery straight to our doorstep, it was erased from the face of the earth.

Ironclad’s Bee Sting is made with their Hot AR Honey Bourbon – drool. I cannot. This Bourbon is literally one of the only bourbons outside of Kentucky that I enjoy 100%. This Hot AR Honey Bourbon is then mixed with (I think?) Lemon Juice and a Ginger Simple Syrup and a splash of Club Soda TOPPED WITH a piece of Crystallized Ginger & a float of Lemon Wedge – divine.

I literally got to enjoy it ONCE at the distillery in person in 2021 and ever since then, I’ve gotten a stern “no we don’t make that anymore” plus a ton of audible sighs & major eyerolls whenever I ask for it.

I’m actually surprised my photo isn’t pasted up at Ironclad with a caption along the lines of “this girl is a proper nuisance and always asks for an off-menu item : “The Bee Sting”. DO NOT OBLIGE HER”

ANYWAY.

Clearly, I just have a lot of feelings about this beverage. Which brings me to WHY I’m posting this beverage & it’s history on this weekend of all weekends : it comes full circle.

Mother’s Day can be a day of celebration or remembrance. Love or Grief – for many different reasons that no one should be expected to share or feel bad about, either way. Which is how I feel about this cocktail.

With all this being said, I hope this entry has been light, fun-filled, history-filled and given you all the ups & downs you’ve hoped for – Let’s Get To It!

Instructions, 1

First, let’s make some Simple Syrup. I promise you it’s just that : Simple.

Equal parts of Water & White Granulated Sugar – heated slowly over the stovetop, melted to a clear liquid and then enhanced with WHATEVER your lil brain comes up with or whatever your cocktail needs!

In this case, I wanted a punch of heat without being overly complicated or overly spicy for everyone to enjoy.

I figured a hit of Cayenne never hurt nobody and the slight earthy taste of Thyme was a safe bet – boyyyy did it deliver!

I’ve also made this Cayenne-Thyme Simple Syrup twice and it definitely needs more Cayenne than you think it does – so don’t freak. “Don’t be all, un-cool.”

Cayenne Simple Syrup Ingredients & Instructions :

• ¼ cup cold water

• ¼ cup white granulated sugar

• ½ TBS Cayenne

• 6-8 whole sprigs fresh Thyme

Literally measure out all those ingredients into a small pot, stirring occasionally over medium-low heat until the sugar has fully dissolved and the liquid is clear and a little sticky-looking.

Feel free to “smush” the thyme sprigs throughout the process to ensure they crush and release their delicate flavor & aroma.

This entire process should take less than 10 minutes.

Allow to steep for 1 hour after the sugar has dissolved to fully absorb the Thyme and allow the Cayenne to mingle.

Allow to fully cool and then strain into a Mason jar with a secure lid.

It is now ready to use!

So now you have the 1 truly homemade ingredient to make my Bee Sting!