Copy

Don Draper's Bitter End

1 oz Rye
1 oz Cognac
1⁄2 oz Averna
1⁄4 oz Fernet Branca
1⁄4 oz Orange liqueur, Grand Marnier (or Pierre Ferrand Dry Curracao)
2 ds Bitters, Angostura
1 twst Orange peel
Instructions

Mix with ice, strain into rocks glass, garnish with orange peel

Notes

Variation on the original: Needed just a touch of sweetness, hence orange liqueur added.

Cocktail summary
Created by
Hank's Oyster Bar, Alexandria, Va. (2014)
Is an
altered recipe
Curator
Not yet rated
User rating
3.5 stars
(5 ratings)
Yields Drink

From our sponsors

Cocktail Book
Log in or sign up to start building your Cocktail Book.
Similar cocktails
  • Manowar — Rye, Amaro Meletti, Fernet Branca, Orange bitters
  • Darkest Manhattan — Rye, Averna, Virgin Islands Rum, Bitters, Orange peel
  • Gods of Old — Rye, Amaro Meletti, Crème de Cacao, Orange bitters, Absinthe, Orange peel
  • Black Manhattan — Rye, Averna, Bitters, Orange bitters, Maraschino cherry
  • Jackson Ward — Rye, Amaro Nardini, Sweet vermouth, Wormwood bitters, Orange bitters, Lemon peel
  • Left Hand of Darkness — Rye, Walnut Liqueur, Averna, Bitters, Absinthe, Brandied cherry
  • The Boardroom — Cognac, Amaro Nonino, Walnut Liqueur, Bitters, Orange peel, Brandied cherry
  • Fogerty — Rye, Campari, Crème de Cacao, Orange bitters, Orange peel
  • Little Black Dress — Rye, Licor 43, Fernet, Bitters
  • Night Tripper — Bourbon, Averna, Strega, Peychaud's Bitters, Orange peel
Comments
Shawn C commented on 8/19/2026:

This one is high ABV, nearly 83 proof before ice dilution if using a 100 proof rye. While it isn't bad, in this case it doesn't quite work because the drink is also semi-dry. (Then again, Don Draper had become an embarrassing lush midway through....so the potency is thematic.) Shockingly, Fernet is mostly hidden behind the masking alcohol heat. The dry Curacao seems to lend an odd bitter orange chemical aspect in the finish. Averna's character is somewhat muted. I am not sure what the solution is, perhaps using an 86 proof rye, and a low ABV orange aperitivo (vs. 80 proof dry Curacao), would improve the character while retaining key elements.

noksagt commented on 8/19/2026:

This is not "too hot" for me, personally. Perhaps some of that is a personal preference for strong brown drink (eyes the 108 proof rye I used for this).

But: there's also as much sweetness in the ounce of modifiers as there is in a typical black Manhattan and most cognacs will both knock down the proof and knock up the sweetness.

I liked it

Shawn C commented on 8/20/2026:

Tastes differ, but the fact that folks have found the need to add 1/4 oz of Grand Marnier or Dry Curacao to the original recipe is itself a commentary on the dry high ABV nature of the drink, particularly if using 100 proof rye. One of the things I have noticed is that with recipes that are past about 80 proof prior to ice dilution, the alcohol heat often dominates, suppressing other flavors. It can be the difference between a "meh" cocktail like this one, or something I want to have again. FWIW, I generally make Black Manhattan's with 90 proof rye...which is the same as using an ounce each of 100 rye and 80 cognac here. The difference in heat with this recipe is that half the 58 proof Averna is replaced by 80 proof Marnier/Curacao and 78 proof Fernet.

noksagt commented on 8/20/2026:

Fair. Archived menus call for Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon, 90-proof. So: original was lower proof and likely to lean sweeter and less spicy than say BIB rye.

Shawn C commented on 8/21/2026:

Good find on that early menu with the drink listed as "The bitter end of Don Draper." Yes, switching to a 90 proof bourbon would cut the heat and reduce the rye pepper as well (although Four Roses does have substantial rye in the blend, probably close to Bulleit Bourbon?) I could see deleting the orange liqueur to test the original recipe. Now I wonder if the ratios are correct or if something was reshuffled to add the orange. Was it a 3 oz or 2.75...or something else? Maybe 2 bourbon, 1/2 Averna, 1/2 Fernet Branca? Or 2 : 3/4 : 1/4?