Add all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice and stir until chilled. Strain into a chilled Nick & Nora glass. Express the oil of the orange twist over the glass, then discard.
The Ugly Truth was created as a modern stirred rum cocktail inspired by the meeting point between Caribbean rum traditions and classic brandy cocktails. Built around the bold funk of Smith & Cross Jamaican rum, it is tempered with cognac for elegance and a touch of aged rum for richness. Crème de banane and St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram pay homage to flavors long associated with Jamaica, while orange and chocolate bitters provide structure and depth.
The goal was to create a spirit-forward cocktail that balances rustic intensity with refinement. Rather than hiding the distinctive character of Jamaican rum, The Ugly Truth embraces it, allowing notes of ripe banana, baking spices, oak, citrus, and tropical fruit to evolve from the first sip to the lingering finish. Its name reflects the idea that great cocktails don't always have to be polished or conventionally "pretty"—sometimes the most rewarding drinks are those that proudly showcase bold, unapologetic flavors.
