Easy Speak

2 oz Bourbon, Jim Beam Black
3⁄4 oz Cynar
1⁄4 oz Simple syrup
3 ds Chocolate bitters, Bittermens Xocolatl Mole
1 ds Bitters
1 twst Lemon peel (as garnish)
Instructions

Combine, add ice, stir and strain into a chilled coupe or an Old Fashioned glass. Express lemon peel, rub around rim and drop into cocktail. May also be served over one large ice cube if you so desire.

Notes

My homage to the nostalgia of the classic Speakeasy. Though more true to the golden age of cocktails, when all you needed was a spirit, sugar, lemon and some bitters.

History

Featured in Difford's Guide

Cocktail summary
Picture of Easy Speak
2011 Kindred Cocktails
Created by
Scott Diaz, Seattle, WA
Is the
author's original creation
Reference

https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/3276/easy-speak

Curator
Not yet rated
Average
4 stars
(47 ratings)
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From other users
  • Subbed 1/8 oz maple syrup for simple (we like our drinks less sweet). Chocolatey. Could be really great for autumn. — ★★★★
  • Simple but interesting. Would be worth trying with some other amaro/bitter combos...including bittermens mole, not Fees. Comes in hot, so maybe push cynar to a full oz.
  • 2:1:1/4, 4 to 5 drops
  • Tastes like a bitter Tootsie Roll. — ★★★★
  • Like a nice, mildly chocolatey Sazerac. Accessible, for such a boozy drink. — ★★★★
  • Used some Benedictine with whiskey instead of bourbon (all out), and a bit of maple syrup instead of simple (less). Nice sipper
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Comments

Definitely use Bittermans The Bitter Truth Xocolatl Mole bitters. I know I put it under the chocolate bitters category but I did attempt with Fee Brothers Chocolate bitters and while still good, the chocolate was too pronounced. The mole bitters are far more complex and really round out the flavors.

Recipe looks fantastic. How would you describe the result? Anything interesting to "listen" for with the palate (flavors that you notice when someone else tells you to look for them)?

Personally I am very pleased with the taste, but of course I created it so I am definitely biased. I find that the Jim Beam Black pairs very nicely with the honey, gentian and sage essence that I taste with Cynar (funny how you don't really taste artichoke) especially since there is a high amount of rye mashed and it's a fairly low alcohol bourbon. I love the Bittermans Mole Bitters and it is such a fantastic and complex blend of flavors that it doesn't really have a big "chocolate" profile but a little more spice, like nutmeg, cinnamon, cheyenne, etc. Fee Aztec Chocolate Bitters made the end result a bit too rich. Also, I now usually only put in about a tsp of simple syrup as apposed to the 1/2 oz I originally did. I have a bit of a sweet tooth when it comes to cocktails but the bourbon and Cynar are rich enough. Thanks again and I hope you like it.

jaba commented on 5/22/2014:

The person I made this for keeps coming up to me and telling me how good this is. I love the generous use of the Xocolatl bitters.

I used Evan Williams Black for the bourbon.

Pretty good. For the unspecified bitters I used Angostura for one drink and Peychaud's for the other. Ango was better.

Ajvan commented on 12/05/2019:

Boozy, bittersweet, delicious. A reminder that you don't need a dozen ingredients to make a great cocktail. 

I have yet to meet anyone, and I mean anyone, who I have made this drink for who did not like it. The chocolate bitters puts it over the top. I use Bullet Bourbon and it's great. I also find that using maple syrup instead of simple syrup, especially bourbon barrel maple syrup, takes it to another level. My favorite go to cocktail. Thank you!

I like the concept of this one, but it's quite a bit too sweet for my taste. Not a bad drink, but for me, I'd eliminate the simple and cut the chocolate bitters to one or maybe two dashes.