The scent of honey and warm pastry that spills out of the late-night baklava shops on Taksim Square in Istanbul is the inspiration for this twist on the classic old fashioned. The honey, cinnamon and walnut slip in perfectly without overpowering proceedings.

Baklava old fashioned

Serves 1

60ml bourbon
1 tsp honey
1 tsp brown sugar
1 pinch ground cinnamon
1–2 drops vanilla extract (optional)
1 walnut or 1 strip orange zest, to garnish

Pour the bourbon into a shaker or mixing glass, add the honey, sugar and cinnamon, and stir until the sugar and honey dissolve. Add a big handful of ice, stir again until the mix is well chilled, then strain into a tumbler or rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a walnut or/and orange zest, then serve.

• Andrea Ena, bar manager, Nora, London E22