newark

1 1/2 oz Laird's Bonded Apple Brandy
3/4 oz Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth
1/8 oz Fernet Branca
1/8 oz Maraschino Liqueur

Stir with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

One of the last drinks served at the "At Full Sail: The History and Application of Spirits at Proof, Navy Strength, and Overproof" session at Tales of the Cocktail was the Newark. The drink was created at Manhattan's P.D.T. and they described it on their menu as "our contribution to the Brooklyn Cocktail family tree." I originally considered it a variation of the Marconi Wireless; however, I can see how the Maraschino and secondary liqueur could push it more into the realm of the Brooklyn. The Laird's Bonded not only packs extra proof compared to their applejack, it contains more flavor as it has been aged longer and is all apple distillate as opposed to 35% in the applejack.

The only major difference between the Newark served at the session and at P.D.T. (besides the session's smaller serving size) is that P.D.T. makes theirs with Vya which is a more robust vermouth than Carpano Antica. Indeed, the drink did have the essence of a Marconi Wireless with a decent dose of herbal notes from the Fernet and funkiness from the Maraschino at the end. The light touch of these liqueurs did not overwhelm the drink, and the sweet vermouth seemed to bridge the gaps and provide some smoothness.