More than just a variation on The Sidecar, The Chapel Hill cocktail has been around for a good long while.  And, as with any cocktail that’s been around for over 50 years, there are dozens of different variations on it.

Personally, I’ve monkeyed with The Chapel Hill for the past few years and I can honestly say that the version I am about to share is as good as it gets.  Even better, I’ve kept it at the classic 3-2-1 ratio used by oh so many excellent cocktails.

I love this cocktail.  I’m not even joking.  Serious love for it.  It’s everything a good cocktail should be and then some.

The Chapel Hill (the BoozeGuru’s version)

• 1.5 ounces Four Roses Bourbon (Small Batch or Single Barrel, recommended)
• 1 ounce Cointreau or Triple Sec
• 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
• orange peel for garnish

Add ice to a Boston Shaker.  Add all the ingredients except the garnish.  Shake until your hands feel like they’re going to freeze off.

Strain the drink into a chilled cocktail (martini) glass.

Garnish with the orange peel.

Enjoy!

You’ll note that some other recipes call for “1 tablespoon of lemon juice.”  What they fail to realize is that 1/2 ounce *is* 1 tablespoon.