false start

1 1/4 oz Reposado Tequila (Cimarron)
1 oz Cardamaro
3/4 oz Sweet Vermouth (Cocchi)
1/4 oz Cynar
2 slice Cucumber

Muddle the cucumber, add the rest, and stir with ice. Double strain into a coupe glass and garnish with a cucumber wheel.
Two Tuesdays ago, I was in the mood for a stirred sort of drink, and the False Start from Punch Drinks called out to me. The recipe was crafted by Anne Robinson of Westlight in Brooklyn, and its aged spirit, vermouth, amaro, and muddled cucumber structure reminded me of the Cobble Hill. In the glass, the False Start shared a cucumber and agave nose with herbal grape undertones. Next, the grape from the vermouth and Cardamaro continued on into the sip, and the swallow came through with tequila, herbal, and cucumber flavors.