rebennack

2 oz Bourbon (Four Roses)
3/4 oz Ramazzotti Amaro
1/4 oz Strega
2 dash Regan's Orange Bitters
2 dash Peychaud's Bitters

Stir with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange twist draped over the rim of the glass.

Two Mondays ago, I spotted a collection of Chris Hannah recipes in Tom Sandham's World's Best Cocktails, and the Rebennack he created at French 75 in New Orleans seemed to appeal the most to Andrea. Chris named the drink after the singer and song writer Mac Rebennack who is better known as Dr. John. The drink was one that Chris used to make for his flask, and during Mardi Gras in 2010, he let Dr. John have a taste at a Krewe de Vieux event; soon after, Chris dubbed the drink after the musician. While researching the drink afterwards, it appears that the Rebennack is a fluid recipe as I was able to find a few significant variations. The most common and perhaps oldest one is a rye drink with Averna and Creole Shrubb, and I was able to find an intermediary Bourbon one with Averna and Strega.
The Rebennack made with Bourbon, Ramazzotti, and Strega offered up an orange oil aroma on top of darker notes. A malt and caramel sip was followed by Bourbon with orange peel bitterness and Strega's herbal flavors on the swallow. Surprisingly, even with an ounce of amari, the drink came across as somewhat dry especially on the swallow.