Name: Strawberry W.C. Fields Recipe
Total time: 3 min
Yield: Serves 1
Ingredients: 2 ounces of good rye whiskey, preferably Templeton Rye; 3/4 ounces strawberry purée; 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice; 1 bar spoon (teaspoon) cherry balsamic vinegar, preferably black cherry; 3 dashes cherry bitters; Sliced strawberry, for garnish

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By Jenn Harris

July 26, 2017

The drink is named after W.C. Fields because an early version of its garnish — a maraschino cherry in a strawberry — reminded Byrnes of the late comedian’s nose.

To make the purée, blend 6 ounces fresh strawberries with 1 ounce hot water until smooth. Transfer to a small saucepan and season to taste with sugar, then heat, stirring until the sugar is melted. Strain before using. This makes a scant ½ cup purée.

The drink is served over a single sphere of ice — a nod to both Byrnes’ and Fields’ love of juggling.

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2 ounces of good rye whiskey, preferably Templeton Rye

¾ ounces strawberry purée

¾ ounce fresh lemon juice

1 bar spoon (teaspoon) cherry balsamic vinegar, preferably black cherry

3 dashes cherry bitters

Sliced strawberry, for garnish

In a shaker, combine the whiskey, purée, lemon juice, vinegar and bitters. Shake with ice and strain over an ice sphere in a bucket or old-fashioned glass. Garnish with the sliced strawberry.

From Brian Byrnes, bartender at the San Fernando bar.

Jenn Harris

Jenn Harris is a columnist for the Food section and host of “The Bucket List” show. She has a BA in literary journalism from UC Irvine and an MA in journalism from USC. Follow her @Jenn_Harris_.