diddlin' dora

1 oz Dry Amontillado Sherry
1 oz Cocchi Sweet Vermouth
1 oz Pimm's No. 1
3/4 oz Fernet Branca
1/4 oz Maraschino Liqueur

Build in a Highball glass, fill with crushed ice, add a straw, and garnish with an orange twist and freshly grated nutmeg.

The fourth drink I created for the Women of the Wild West night was one to fulfill the tall drink category. Instead of a Highball, I decided to do a Cobbler; the sherry, vermouth, and Pimm's all seemed to take to Fernet Branca rather well which aided in fitting in with the Whiskey and Amari theme. To bolster the Pimm's that was losing out slightly to the grape products, I added a little Maraschino to bring out more of the Pimm's fruit notes. For a name, I decided to honor Dora DuFran, or more specifically one of her four brothels. I think that night during service, people enjoyed ordering the drink for the name alone -- Diddlin' Dora, and the tasty Cobbler that came with it was just a bonus. Here is what I wrote on the Facebook event page as a teaser:

One of the drinks on the 11th is a tribute to Dora DuFran, one of the most successful madams in the Wild West. She started her life in the West as a dancehall girl, and once the Gold Rush hit, she became a madam and moved her way up to owning four establishments in different cities. My favorite of the bunch was called Diddlin' Dora's and the sign on the right is a reproduction of an advertisement for that establishment. Diddlin' Dora's advertised itself as "Three D's -- Dining, Drinking and Dancing -- a place where you can bring your mother" although one cowboy commented that, "I wouldn't want my mother to know I had ever been there." Luckily, this tribute will be something you might not mind telling your mother about...

The nutmeg and orange twist notes filled the Diddlin' Dora's aroma. The grape sip contained some berry notes, and the swallow offered a nuttiness from the sherry and Maraschino and a light menthol and herbal finish. Refreshingly light yet flavorful.