We know D.C. Get our free newsletter to stay in the know.
Where: BLT Steak, 1625 I St. NW
Bartender: Steve Oshana
Mystery Ingredient: Old Bay Seasoning
Bartender Response: “Does it have to be a Bloody Mary?” asked Oshana, before grabbing a pan and disappearing into the kitchen.
What We Got: Bourbon and demerara sugar syrup combined with an Old Bay–infused caramel cream.
How It Tasted: Not at all reminiscent of crabcakes. It was sweet but not cloying, with a little bite from the bourbon and the Old Bay at the end.
Improv Points (1-5): 4. The Old Bay caramel was an audacious move. What could’ve easily been a train wreck turned into a sweet and savory drink that embraced the paprika and celery salt undertones in Old Bay. Maybe you wouldn’t want to drink this cocktail every night, but the creative risk-taking was impressive. This isn’t Oshana’s first rodeo though: He used to host a “Bring Your Own Ingredient” night at Sova on H Street NE. Bonus points for giving us a tub of Old Bay caramel to take home, complete with a personalized label.
Recipe
1.5 ounces of Woodford Reserve bourbon
.25 ounces of cinnamon and clove-infused demerara sugar syrup
1 ounce of Old Bay salted caramel cream*
Combine above ingredients, shake with ice, then strain.
* To make Old Bay salted caramel cream: Combine 1 cup sugar and 1.5 cups water, add 1 tablespoon of Old Bay, 5 grinds of cinnamon stick, and 5 grinds of clove. Cook and reduce volume by 25 percent. Add half a cup of cream. Caramel will be thinner in consistency than typical caramel in order to combine easily with the other ingredients.
Read more Food stories
Photo by Adele Chapin
This isn't a paywall.
We don't have one. Readers like you keep our work free for everyone to read. If you think that it's important to have high quality local reporting we hope you'll support our work with a monthly contribution.