Saturday, March 4, 2023

something bitter this way comes

1 1/2 oz Rye Whiskey (Rittenhouse)
1 oz Amaro Ciociaro
1/2 oz Cocchi Sweet Vermouth
1/4 oz Fernet Branca
2 dash Bittermens Mole Bitters (Bitter Truth)
1 pinch Salt

Stir with ice, strain into a cocktail coupe, and garnish with an orange twist.
Two Saturdays ago, I spotted a drink sourced from Chuck Taggart's Looka blog on Kindred Cocktails called Something Bitter This Way Comes. Chuck was inspired by a drink at The Varnish where the guest bartender utilized two amari akin to Tiki bartenders using more than one rum. Chuck tinkered a few days later, and he named this 2011 creation after one of his friend's suggestions that was a variation on a Ray Bradbury book title. Here, the combination of Amaro Ciociaro and a hint of Fernet reminded me of Backbar's Scarecrow that called for Amaro Montenegro embittered by Fernet. Once prepared, the Something Bitter This Way Comes presented orange, caramel, and menthol aromas. Next, grape and caramel notes on the sip slid into rye, bitter orange, and minty-menthol flavors on the swallow.

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