February 13. If you’re a Parks and Recreation fan, you know what that means. It’s Galentine’s Day! As Leslie Knope says, it’s only the best day of the year.
Galentine’s Day is about celebrating your lady friends. It’s the perfect occasion to dig deep into your well of Knopeian compliments (like “poetic, noble land mermaid”) and shower your friends with thoughtful gifts. And remember that all holidays created by Knope should involve some form of waffle. You can eat the wondrous breakfast food at any time of the day, and as it turns out, you can even drink a waffle. Sort of.
Inspired by Leslie’s love of waffles and my appreciation of bourbon, I came up with a cocktail that’s ideal for your Galentine’s Day celebrations. Behold, The Knope.
The Knope
Ingredients
1 oz maple simple syrup
2 oz bourbon
1 dash Angostura bitters
Mini frozen waffles
Optional: maple sugar
Make maple simple syrup by combining equal parts maple syrup and water in a small pot. Heat over low heat and stir until maple syrup is just dissolved. Let cool.
Prepare your waffles in the toaster.
Stir maple simple syrup and bitters together in the bottom of a glass. Add bourbon. Add one large ice cube (or a few smaller ones) and stir until just chilled, about 30 seconds.
Garnish with a mini waffle. Eat the leftover waffles.
Optional: before you mix the drink, go full Knope and rim the glass with maple sugar.
If you make The Knope, let me know what you think! Post a pic and tag Nerdist on Instagram and/or Twitter. The more waffles, the better.
Images: NBC, Aaron Fairbanks
Amy Ratcliffe is an Associate Editor for Nerdist. Follow her on Twitter and keep up with her Disney food adventures on Instagram.