little buddy

3/4 oz Privateer Navy Yard Rum
3/4 oz Bacardi 8 Year Rum
3/4 oz Punt e Mes
3/4 oz Cynar
1 barspoon Falernum
1 barspoon Lime Juice

Build in a rocks glass, add a big ice cube, stir to mix and chill, and garnish with a lime twist (omitted here).

Two Tuesdays ago, we were able to close up the restaurant in time for me to catch a nightcap at Backbar on the way home. For a cocktail, I requested the previous day's Drink of the Day called the Little Buddy. The idea began with a Little Giuseppe with the Punt e Mes, Cynar, and spoon of citrus, but it went in a rum-heavy direction; unfortunately, I neglected to ask if the name was a Gilligan's Island reference.
The Little Buddy presented a dark aroma from the Cynar supplemented by barrel aged rum notes. On the palate, caramel, grape, and a hint of lime on the sip transitioned into rum and bitter flavors on the swallow with a clove and lime finish.