throw the gun #2

1 oz Citadelle Reserve Gin
3/4 oz Oloroso Sherry
3/4 oz Zucca Liqueur
1/2 oz Demerara Simple Syrup
1/4 oz Lime
1 dash Angostura Bitters
1 pinch Salt
1 Egg

Dry shake, add ice, and shake again. Double strain into a coupe glass.

Two Saturdays ago, Andrea and I stopped into Craigie on Main for drinks. One of the cocktails bartender Ted Gallagher made me was a creation of his fellow bartender John Mayer. John named the drink Throw the Gun #2 after the moment in movies where the bandit is out of bullets so he drops the gun, turns, and runs. The somewhat novel ingredient in the recipe, Zucca, is an Italian bitter liqueur containing rhubarb root and other herbs that is touted as a good digestif. Compared to another rhubarb-laden liqueur, Aperol, Zucca is a lot darker, older (invented 1845 versus 1919), and more reminiscent of Cynar than a soft version of Campari. Once I made that mental connection to Cynar, I knew that it would pair well with the sherry in this recipe.
The Throw the Gun #2 began with the herbal aroma of the Zucca complemented by sherry notes. The light creamy sip contained a hint of lime and was followed by the sherry's nutty and the Zucca's dark herbal flavors. Given the drinks foaminess, gin, and light citrus aspect, the Throw the Gun #2 reminded me a little of a Ramos Gin Fizz, well until the robust swallow convinced me otherwise each time.