Wagon wheel: In the mood for a good, old-fashioned cowboy’s slug of whiskey married with a twist of holiday spirit? High Noon Saloon in Wicker Park offers the Wagon Wheel, a cocktail made of Very Old Barton bourbon, gingersnap liqueur, vanilla syrup, black walnut bitters and a splash of lemon juice. High Noon Saloon owner Baris Yuksel describes the $10 mixed drink as “a well-balanced cocktail” and that “the citrus of the lemon plays nicely with the vanilla, ginger and walnut” interspersed throughout. “These spices remind me of a fall day,” adds Yuksel. Served on the rocks in a tall glass with a tiny strip of lemon rind, this Bourbon-based treat with a hint of vanilla aftertaste accomplishes the rare feat of being light and subtle yet memorable. 1560 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-227-9339
—Leah Pickett, Special to the Tribune
