Badly done, Emma

The romance genre is booming. This week NPR shared that despite overall declines in book sales, sales for romance novels are on the rise. Romance novels account for billions of dollars in revenue, making it the highest earning genre in fiction. Stories of love are insanely popular today, and have been for centuries. From your grandma's shitty paperbacks with a shirtless cowboy on the cover to the treasured classics by Jane Austen, there's a love story for everyone. And in honor of the month of love we chose one of our favorite tales of romance.

Jane Austen’s beloved comedy about matchmaking mishaps and young hubris is brought to life in Autumn de Wilde’s “Emma.” An eye-catching film adaptation full of beautiful colors, elaborate costumes and sets, and a cast of funny, charming characters. Anya Taylor-Joy plays Emma, a wealthy, pretty, but arrogant young woman. Although she loves to play matchmaker for her friends, Emma is determined to never marry. But as Emma meddles in her friends’ lives she discovers she doesn’t know as much about love as she thinks she does. In true Jane Austen fashion, “Emma.” is a commentary on social class, romance, and self reflection. Emma, along with her friends, must navigate the unpredictable world of love and friendship.

“Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, has lived nearly twenty-one years in the world without very little to distress or vex her.”

Our cocktail titled Handsome & Clever features Bulleit 10 Year, an aged bourbon with an oaky aroma, smooth flavor, and notes of dried fruit. Its smoky finish is coupled with the bitterness of Campari and fresh lemon juice. We also added homemade thyme syrup for fresh herbal sweetness along with a fig spread to add complexity and a richness to the drink. Use any fig spread of your choosing, we found ours at Aldi’s, but be sure to double strain so no fig seeds find their way into your glass. The Handsome & Clever is served in a coupe and garnished with a sprig of fresh thyme, picked delicately from the garden at the Hartfield.

Handsome & Clever

Ingredients:

2 oz. Bourbon

.5 oz Campari

.25 oz thyme syrup

.25 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 tsp fig spread

Fresh thyme for garnish

Instructions:

1. For the thyme syrup: in a saucepan add 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, a handful of fresh thyme sprigs. Stir, bringing to a simmer until sugar is dissolved. Let cool then strain into a sealed container. Store in the fridge.

2. For the cocktail: In a cocktail shaker combine all ingredients and add ice. Shake for 15-25 seconds.

3. Double strain into a chilled coupe and garnish with fresh sprig of thyme.