cappelletti smash

2 oz Cappelletti Aperitivo
1/2 Lemon (cut into 6 pieces) (*)
2 heaping tsp Sugar

Shake with ice and strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice. Garnish with a mint sprig and add straws.
(*) Sometimes made with lime as well.

Two Mondays ago, I traveled down to the Kenmore area after work to stop in at Straight Law opened by Drink alumni Sean Sullivan with help from Will Thompson. Sean is the sole bartender for the six nights a week the establishment is open, and the space flows smoothly between Taberno de Haro and the bar. Luckily, for food the restaurant's full menu is available, and the tapas and flavors meld with the drink styles and size rather well. Many of Straight Laws drinks feature sherry -- between the Spanish restaurant it cohabitates with and the cocktail from the Savoy Cocktail Book that it is named after. While I started with a 50-50 Martini as my post-shift drink, I next selected the Cappelletti Smash, a Smash inspired by by Dominic Venegas' Aperol one. Cappelletti is a bitter liqueur with herbal and orange notes that falls in the middle of Aperol, Campari, and sweet vermouth; I was first introduced to the spirit at Backbar via their Transatlantic Scaffa.
The Cappelletti Smash began with a mint and herbal aroma. A sweet lemon sip was countered by a lightly bitter, herbal grape swallow. Overall, the Smash was perfect for the rather hot day, and it was a joy to drink as the breeze blew through the restaurant from the back door out to the patio.