linden square

2 oz Rittenhouse Rye
1/2 oz Amaro Nonino
1/2 oz Aperol
1/2 oz Sweet Vermouth (Noilly Prat)
1 dash Bittermens Mole Bitters

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

Two Saturdays ago, I searched for recipes on Kindred Cocktails created at Eastern Standard that I might never have tried. The one that caught my attention was the Linden Square by Bobby McCoy as a 2010 update to the Red Carpet that we published here in 2008. Bobby reduced the liqueur amounts and added in sweet vermouth and mole bitters. The duo of Amaro Nonino and Aperol are best known for being partners in the Paper Plane, but they also do well in citrus-free drinks like the Marchessa. In addition, there is no indication as to whether the name refers to the neighborhood in Wellesley, Massachusetts, similar to how his Wildwood was a tribute to his old street.The Linden Square gave forth an orange, caramel, and rye aroma. Next, grape and orange on the sip developed into whiskey and dark orange flavors on the swallow. Overall, the Linden Square's swallow and finish reminded me a bit of the Liberal.