Happy Hour: Butcher and the Rye's Salinger's Sling

As we settle into the colder weather, there’s nothing we love more than cozying up with a good book and a delicious cocktail in tow. But how about combining the two into one warming libation? At the Pittsburgh hot spot Butcher and the Rye, the mixologists are pros when it comes to connecting classic literature with whimsical drinks. Take their name: it's an homage to J.D. Salinger’s beloved novel, Catcher in the Rye, which also was the inspiration for many of their signature drinks. This creative Steel City establishment has garnered widespread acclaim for its multi-level bar, including a semifinalist nod for our 2015 JBF Outstanding Bar Program Award. Their Salinger’s Sling, a riff on the Old Fashioned cocktail, incorporates Grand Marnier and coffee bitters into the standard bourbon base for an inventive take on a classic. Spicier and more complex than its inspiration, this tipple sips as an ode to the era in which Salinger penned his famous novel. We can't imagine anything better for unwinding on a blustery evening.

Get the recipe for Salinger's Sling.

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Hilary Deutsch is editorial assistant at the James Beard Foundation. Find her on Instagram.