Toast summer with wheat beer cocktail

In honor of a memorable season of grilling, I offer a toast to the outdoors, in the form of a cocktail made with grilled oranges, wheat beer and bourbon.

It’s a great way to close the summer. Or greet fall. WEISSBIER COCKTAIL WITH CHARRED ORANGE AND BOURBON 1 juicy seedless orange 4 oz. (A c.) bourbon,

divided

2 T. plus 2 t. honey, divided Freshly ground black

pepper to taste A t. minced fresh thyme Drizzle of orange liqueur

(such as triple sec) 2 (12-oz.) bottles wheat beer (also called weissbier, hefeweizen, witbier)

Fire up your grill to 450 to 550 degrees.

Slice orange into 8 quarterinch-thick rounds and place in a bowl. Drizzle slices with about 2 tablespoons bourbon and 2 tablespoons honey. Season with black pepper and thyme, and gently mix. Marinate orange slices for about 10 minutes.

Grill orange slices for 2 to 3 minutes on both sides, until lightly charred and tender. Set aside to cool.

Coarsely chop 2 to 3 slices of charred orange, and place in a cocktail shaker. Add 2 teaspoons honey, bourbon and a drizzle of orange liqueur. Mash with a wooden spoon, then add ice. Put lid on shaker and shake it up to cool.

Strain bourbon into 2 chilled wide-mouth glasses. Add a slice or two of charred orange to each glass and pour in the chilled beer and serve immediately. Serves 2.