nerina jones

1 1/4 oz Plymouth Gin
1 1/4 oz Punt e Mes
1 1/4 oz Meletti Amaro
1 dash Regan's Orange Bitters

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

Two Wednesdays ago, we found seats at the Independent in Somerville. For a first drink, I asked bartender Isaac Sussman for the Nerina Jones. In asking for a history of the drink, Isaac replied that bartender Glen Cancelleire had put it on the list as a modification of the Nerina from Employees Only in Manhattan. The Nerina is Employee's Only's take on the Negroni with the Campari and sweet vermouth swapped for Meletti and Punt e Mes. The only change the Independent made was adding was a dash of orange bitters.
The orange twist's oils added to the aroma of the Punt e Mes' grape and the Meletti's violet. A grape sip with hints of orange led into a swallow offering gin, Punt e Mes' bitter flavors, and Meletti's floral and herbal elements.