Cocktail of the week: Rotunda Bar & Lounge’s sandalwood old fashioned – recipe

Nothing says autumn quite like the smell of wet wood, and the aromas in this smooth, grown-up cocktail make it the ideal welcome to the new season.

Sandalwood old fashioned

Serves 2

For the sandalwood syrup
2 small sticks sandalwood
40g sugar

For the olive oil-infused bourbon
2 tbsp good olive oil
100ml bourbon

To make the cocktail
20ml sandalwood syrup (see above and method)
6 drops Angostura bitters
100ml olive oil-infused bourbon (see above and method)
2 twists orange peel (optional)

Put the sandalwood in a small pan on a low heat, and warm gently to release the wood’s aroma. Meanwhile, in a bowl, mix the sugar and 20ml hot water until the sugar dissolves. Pour the syrup into the sandalwood pan, cook, stirring, on a low heat for 10 minutes, then strain.

Now infuse the bourbon. Put the oil and bourbon in a bottle, seal and freeze until the oil solidifies; the bourbon will stay liquid. Strain off the oil through a small sieve, then pour the bourbon back into the bottle for storage.

To make the drink, put 10ml sandalwood syrup and three drops of bitters into each of two chilled cocktail glasses, fill with ice and stir to dilute slightly. Pour 50ml infused bourbon into each glass, stir again and finish with a twist of orange, if you like. Serve at once.

• Ayoub Radi, head bartender, Rotunda Bar & Lounge, Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square, London EC3