4 Cocktail Recipes with this ingredient.
The Old Fashioned is the original cocktail — a disciplined marriage of spirit, sugar, water, and bitters that dates to the early 19th century. When made right with a quality bourbon or rye, it's arguably the greatest drink ever conceived. The key is balance: enough sweetness to integrate, enough bitters to add complexity, and good ice to dilute slowly. Use Knob Creek, Elijah Craig, or Rittenhouse Rye for best results.
The Negroni is the perfect aperitivo — bitter, sweet, and boozy in equal measure. Equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth stirred over ice and served with an orange peel. It was allegedly invented in Florence in 1919 when Count Negroni asked his bartender to strengthen an Americano by swapping the soda water for gin. Use a quality London dry gin and Carpano Antica Formula or Cocchi Torino for the vermouth.
The Toronto is an underappreciated stirred cocktail that predates Prohibition. Rye whiskey and Fernet-Branca is a combination that sounds austere but is deeply, darkly complex — the menthol, herb, and bitterness of Fernet integrates with the spice of rye to create something uniquely satisfying. A quarter ounce of Fernet is the correct amount — enough to add character without dominating. This is a bartender's cocktail.
A smoky, contemporary riff on the classic Negroni that swaps London dry gin for mezcal. The agave smokiness of mezcal weaves beautifully with the bitterness of Campari and the rich herbal sweetness of vermouth. Phil Ward at Death & Company popularized the mezcal Negroni riff. Use a quality joven or espadin mezcal — Del Maguey Vida works beautifully without being overpoweringly smoky.