nighthawks

1 1/2 oz Del Maguey Mezcal Vida (Peloton de la Muerte)
3/4 oz Lustau Amontillado Sherry
1/2 oz Carpano Sweet Vermouth (Cocchi)
1/2 oz Caffe Lolita (Mr. Black)
1/4 oz Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur
1 dash Bittermens Mole Bitters

Stir with ice and strain into a Nick & Nora (coupe) glass.Two Fridays prior, I picked Lynnette Marrero and Ivy Mix's A Quick Drink: The Speed Rack Guide to Winning Cocktails for Any Mood book for inspiration. There, I spotted Eryn Reece's Nighthawks that she served up for a dealer's choice round for a Speed Rack competition. She named it after the Edward Hopper painting and probably based it off her 2013 Broken Oath at Death & Co. Once stirred and strained, the Nighthawks rose to the nose with a coffee, vegetal, and smoke nose. Next, a grape-driven sip from the sherry and vermouth elements served up smoky mezcal, coffee, chile spice, and nutty flavors on the swallow.