Combine the first five ingredients with ice, then shake until chilled. Add the chocolate stout, then combine by pouring the drink between the two halves of the shaker two or three times. Fine strain into a large chilled martini glass.
The spices of the amaro and bitters ride atop a wave of sweet cocoa. Drinks like Guinness. Kicks like a mule.
Named after my family's old dog and inspired by Trevor Callies' Baverniess, which combines whiskey, Averna and Guinness to intriguing effect. Thought I'd try some more potent flavors that I had on hand. Spiced, warming Meletti for the Averna, Barrel Aged Maple Syrup for the standard stuff, cinnamon-laced Fee Brothers Whiskey Barrel Aged bitters in place of Angostura, and the dangerously rich Samuel Smith's Chocolate Stout to finish.
Like our late mutt, the drink is big, strong, kinda sweet, and definitely won't help you get anything done with your day.
Variation: Drew Fields, Washington D.C.