Recipe

1. Stir all ingredients in a mixing glass topped with ice until chilled, about 30 seconds.
2. Strain into a rocks glass and add a large ice cube.
3. Garnish with a flamed orange peel (optionally cut into a monarch butterfly) and a brandied cherry.
4. HOW TO MAKE PILONCILLO SYRUP Finely grate 1/3 cup piloncillo. Add to a medium saucepan with 1/3 cup water and 1/4 teaspoon Bourbon Vanilla extract. Warm over medium heat and frequently stir until the sugar is dissolved, but do not bring it to a boil. Let cool and strain into a glass bottle for storage. The syrup can be refrigerated for up to 1 month.
5. HOW TO BARREL AGE THE MONARCH To further enhance the flavors of this cocktail, you can opt to barrel age it. To do this in a 1L oak barrel, use 1 bottle of Truthteller 1839 and 1/3 cup Piloncillo syrup. Stir to combine Truthteller and syrup (do not use ice). Pour into the barrel and let rest for 1-4 weeks in a dark place, tasting after 1 week to determine if the aging is to your liking. Gently rotate/shake the barrel before serving to mix ingredients together. Add 3-4 dashes of bitters, stir over ice, and serve as above.