the real deal

1 1/2 oz Sombra Mezcal (Peloton de la Muerte)
3/4 oz Punt e Mes
3/4 oz Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth (Lacuesta Rojo)
1 tsp Fernet Branca

Stir with ice and strain into a cocktail coupe.Two Mondays ago, I reached for Robert Simonson's Mezcal & Tequila Cocktails book and spotted the Real Deal. The drink was created by Eryn Reece at Mayahuel sometime during her 2010-14 tenure there, and Robert surmised that she was perhaps thinking simultaneously of the Manhattan and Toronto (although the Hanky Panky would encapsulate both in one). Once prepared, the Real Deal gave forth a smoke, vegetal, and hint of grape and camphor aroma. Next, grape and a touch of caramel on the sip ventured into smoky vegetal and bitter herbal flavors on the swallow with a minty-menthol finish.