Toranja West Cocktail Recipe

A bright + breezy whiskey cocktail for sun-chasing souls with Barrel Aged Aromatic Bitters

If spring had a signature drink, this might be it.

The Toranja West is a laid-back twist on a classic whiskey cocktail—fresh grapefruit juice, a splash of Lillet Blanc, a generous measure of barrel aged bitters that pull it all together with just the right depth. It's got that "sunset on the porch, records playing in the background" kind of energy. Basically, the cocktail version of golden hour.

This recipe was born from a craving for something citrusy, complex, and not too fussy. Back in 2021, I launched my Barrel Aged Aromatic Bitters on my birthday (best present ever), in collaboration with the team at Bull Run Distillery. With a base of Bull Run spirits and aging with used bourbon barrels, these bitters were crafted with bold cocktails in mind—and this one hits all the right notes.

There's something magical about the way grapefruit plays with whiskey. It's got bite, brightness, and balance. And when you throw in a hint of herbal sweetness from the Lillet and rich, spiced backbone of bitters? Let's just say... it slaps.

Whether you're team "brunch and bloom" or "sunset slow sipper", this one's for you.

Toranja West Cocktail

A spring-worthy grapefruit cocktail

with whiskey + barrel aged bitters

1 1/2 oz Bull Run Distillery Madeira cask finished whiskey
1 1/2 oz fresh grapefruit juice
3/4 oz Lillet blanc
1 dropper Barrel Aged Aromatic Bitters
Grapefruit sparkling water
Grapefruit twist, to garnish

Stir whiskey, grapefruit juice, and Lillet over ice. Strain into an iced filled rocks glass and top with bitters and grapefruit sparkling water. Garnish with grapefruit twist and enjoy.

It's zesty. It's smooth. It's slightly unexpected—kind of like spring itself.

And if you've got a bottle of these barrel aged bitters around, this is the cocktail to crack them open for. Just sayin'.

Barrel Aged Aromatic Bitters