Stir and strain the first three ingredients into a chilled cocktail glass, and mist with kirschwasser loaded in an atomizer. Serve unadorned.
The kirsch mist at the surface of the drink has the same function as orange oil expressed from a peel: it gives the drink an aroma that prepares the palate to what's coming up, and brings up the beautiful cherry notes from the Barolo Chinato
Inspired by the famous 1920's monologue by Irish-American dramatist and actress Ruth Draper, the Italian Lesson showcases Cocchi's wonderful Barolo Chinato, brought in here to dress up this peppery bottling of Irish poitín, just like precious French and Italian elexirs were called in during Prohibition to tame the harsher moonshines and bathtub gins. Draper's character kept on procrastinating her Italian lesson for trivial excuses, but this drink would've certainly boosted her commitment!
