Journal

With the nights getting a little longer, and all the feels of summer a little closer, it makes me think about fun summer cocktails. Here’s where the Toasted Marshmallow Old Fashioned takes front and center.

This delicious cocktail makes for an interesting twist to the traditional fireside S’mores. It infuses the classic Old Fashioned with the delicious flavors of toasted marshmallows – perfect for entertaining.

Sit outside by the fire with me and I’ll pour you a glass of this lovely bourbon cocktail.

Let’s get started!

Toasted Marshmallow Old Fashioned

Ingredients:

• 2 oz your favorite bourbon
• 1/2 oz toasted marshmallow simple syrup (recipe below)
• 2-3 dashes chocolate bitters (optional, but recommended for depth)
• Graham cracker crumbs (for rimming)
• Toasted marshmallow (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the glass by rimming it with graham cracker crumbs (spray rim with vodka for best sticking results without compromising flavor!)
2. Combine bourbon, toasted marshmallow simple syrup, and bitters (if using) in a mixing glass.
3. Add ice and stir to chill.
4. Strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice and garnish with a toasted marshmallow (see photo for inspiration).

Toasted Marshmallow Simple Syrup (Homemade)

Ingredients:

• cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 10-12 regular-sized marshmallows (toasted lightly)

• Instructions:

• 1. Toast marshmallows lightly using a kitchen torch or stovetop flame.
  2. Combine water, sugar, and toasted marshmallows in a saucepan over medium heat.
  3. Stir until marshmallows are melted and sugar is dissolved (around 5 minutes).
  4. Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any charred bits.
  5. Let cool completely before use and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Prepare Glass (Optional): Rim the cocktail glass with graham cracker crumbs by moistening the rim with a little syrup or vodka spray for dipping into the crumbs.

Combine Ingredients: In a mixing glass, combine the bourbon, marshmallow simple syrup, and bitters.

Stir and Chill: Add a large ice cube to the mixing glass and stir until chilled.

Strain and Garnish: Strain the chilled cocktail into the prepared glass over a large ice cube. Skewer the marshmallows, toast with a kitchen torch or stovetop flame, and place them on the rim of the glass or over the drink as garnish. You can also add chocolate shavings.

Now, sit down with me, sit back and take a sip of this delicious and visually appealing bourbon cocktail with a nod to the delightful flavors of fireside toasted marshmallows. Oh, and least I forget…I brought chocolate!

Cheers!

Some of life’s greatest moments happen around the table.

Not because of the table itself, but because of who gathers there.

It’s where little hands once colored pictures for Mother’s Day. Where family dinners turned into stories that still make us laugh years later. It’s where anniversaries are celebrated with a quiet toast, children become adults, and friends become family.

As Greg and I celebrate another wedding anniversary, I’m reminded that the years are measured less by the calendar and more by the moments we’ve shared around our own table. The conversations. The laughter. The traditions. The people we’ve welcomed into our home and into our lives.

Perhaps that’s why I love what I do so much.

Every weekend, I have the privilege of creating another table for someone else. A wedding where two families become one. A rehearsal dinner filled with anticipation. A birthday, retirement, anniversary, or bachelor/bachelorette party where friends linger just a little longer because the conversation is too good to leave.

The bourbon may be what first brings everyone together, but they remember the stories shared, the laughter that echoed around the room, and the feelings shared together.

Because in the end, the finest experiences aren’t simply poured into a glass.

They’re created around the table.

Here’s to the tables that bring us together — the bourbon that makes it special — and to the people who make it feel like home.

A Toast to Beginnings

Date: July 2025

Today, we raise our glasses to a dream poured neat—My Bourbonista – Chicago Bourbon Tasting is officially launched. What started as a quiet fascination with the stories inside a glass of Bourbon has become something far more spirited.

My Bourbonista – Chicago Bourbon Tasting is more than a tasting experience—it’s a curated moment of connection, history, and indulgence, designed to elevate every gathering into something memorable. From private celebrations to corporate affairs, from bridal showers and wedding receptions to bourbon-and-bouquet soirées, we believe Bourbon is a conversation starter, a storyteller, and a statement maker. Whether you’re new to the world of whiskey or a seasoned sipper, you’re welcomed here!

Our mission? To bring beauty, personality, and purpose to every pour. And as a woman-owned business, we’re proud to be part of the evolving Bourbon landscape—where tradition meets modern warmth, reshaping its future—one pour, one connection, one unforgettable night at a time.

We bring elegance, story, and spirit to every Bourbon pour. Thanks for being here from the start. We can’t wait to share the journey—and the Bourbon—with you.

Cheers to all things Bourbon! —

Sherri Spontak, Founder Executive Bourbon Steward | My Bourbonista – Chicago Bourbon Tasting