The Bee Sting Smash: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by Lock and Key

The Bee Sting Smash at Lock & Key Whiskey Bar

It's that time of year again, and we in Baton Rouge look forward to another glorious St. Patrick's Day parade. I was looking for something to get me in the spirit of this year's festivities, but not just any old Irish whiskey drink--something magical, sparkly, and giddy. Arthur Lauke and Brandy Tabor of Lock & Key Whiskey Bar pointed me straight to one of their most popular whiskey cocktails: The Bee Sting Smash.

Delightfully simple, each of their cocktails is made with love and attention to detail. I would not be shocked if you told me they tucked each drink in to bed with a bedtime story. That's how delicious these drinks are. Like I said, I was looking for something that wasn't just delicious, but something that contained sparkle. Each Bee Sting Smash is made with lemon and mint muddled in a succulent, house-made ginger syrup. They toss in some ice cubes, pour in some Paddy's Bee Sting Irish Whiskey and send it on it's way. The Paddy's Bee Sting is floral and friendly. You don't get that punch of whiskey, but I like how the floral notes sweetened by the ginger syrup. The slight earthiness and spice of the ginger mellows out with the rest of the ingredients, and the lemon and mint lend some brightness. You'll definitely want to swing by Lock & Key sometime this week to get your fix.