Hop Scotch cocktail

We were looking for Leap Day drinks, and figured a hop-based cocktail would be fun. Turns out Hop Scotch is a thing. The honey was complementary and the slight hop bitterness was good balance.

Hop pellets worked well, but hop leaves (even compressed) did not as they expanded and absorbed all the liquor. Next time, I'd increase the hops a bit as they were barely noticeable, but I don't want this to come out IPA-bitter.

Hop Honey Syrup

1 C   Water
1/4 C Citra Pellet Hops, 13.9% alpha acid (high bitterness) [37g, 0.25 ounce weight]
1/2   Lemon, zest added, quartered, pressed
1 C   Honey

Bring Water and Hops to boil; the hops should break apart.
Add Lemon zest, juice and hulls, and Honey.
Stir then simmer covered a while to infuse.
Strain through fine mesh.
Keep in fridge any you don't use.

For each Cocktail

2   fluid ounce Scotch Whiskey (we used Famous Grouse)
1/2 fluid ounce Hop Honey Syrup

Stir, pour over a large ice cube.
Garnish with a strip of lemon zest.