"Rather than the traditional combination of citrus and mint, the Cheesecake Factory's reimagined cocktail features Yellowstone bourbon, Aperol, and fresh lemon sour with passion fruit, served with an orange twist perched on the rim. As we mentioned in our review, "The bittersweetness of the Aperol counteracted the tanginess of the lemon sour, creating a bright, fruity taste [...] the perfect middle-of-the-road cocktail. It's sophisticated enough for avid whiskey drinkers, yet sweet and fruity enough for those who aren't big on bourbon.""
"Indeed, Aperol is not customarily an ingredient in the whiskey smash's makeup. For the uninitiated, the bittersweet red amaro offers tasting notes of orange oil, smoky vanilla, rhubarb, gentian root, and quinine. It's perhaps best known for its starring role in the Aperol Spritz brunch cocktail with prosecco. But in the Cheesecake Factory's avant-garde take on a whiskey smash, that Aperol serves as an herbaceous, dimensional bridge between the mature bourbon and the cheerful passion fruit."
A classic whiskey smash comprises bourbon, muddled lemon wedges, simple syrup, and mint leaves. The Cheesecake Factory's variation swaps the traditional citrus-and-mint profile for Yellowstone bourbon, Aperol, fresh lemon sour with passion fruit, and an orange twist. Aperol contributes bittersweet, herbaceous layers with tasting notes of orange oil, smoky vanilla, rhubarb, gentian root, and quinine, acting as a bridge between mature bourbon and lively passion fruit. The result is a bright, fruity, balanced cocktail that satisfies whiskey enthusiasts while remaining sweet and approachable for those who prefer fruit-forward drinks. Patrons have praised it online and critics gave it top placement among the chain's cocktails.
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