Simple Buttercream

Chill a tall highball glass by filling it with ice cubes and setting it aside to cool while you prepare the other components.

If using a butter-washed spirit, gently melt unsalted butter and combine it with your base spirit (such as vodka or rum) in a container, then freeze until the butter solidifies and strain out the solids.

Measure and combine your cream-based liqueur or heavy cream with the butter-washed spirit in a cocktail shaker.

Add a sweetener such as simple syrup or butterscotch syrup to the shaker to enhance the buttercream flavor profile.

Fill the cocktail shaker with fresh ice and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds until the mixture is well chilled and slightly frothy.

Discard the ice from the chilled highball glass and fill it with fresh ice cubes to the top.

Strain the shaken mixture over the fresh ice in the tall glass, then top with chilled club soda or ginger ale if a lighter, effervescent finish is desired.

Garnish with a light dusting of vanilla powder or a thin butterscotch drizzle along the inside of the glass, and serve immediately with a straw.