Of Light and Shadows

1 1⁄2 oz Mezcal, Sombra
1⁄2 oz Amargo-Vallet
1⁄2 oz Campari
1⁄2 oz Sweet vermouth, Carpano Punt e Mes
1⁄2 oz Coffee liqueur, St. George (NOLA)
1 Orange peel
Instructions

Stir, strain into old fashioned glass with a large cube or sphere. Garnish with an orange swath.

Notes

Also works well with a base of rye whiskey or London dry gin.

Yields Drink
Year
2018
Authenticity
Your original creation
Curator rating
Not yet rated
Average rating
4 stars
(2 ratings)
Similar cocktails
  • Breakfast — Mezcal, Bitters, Sweet vermouth, Coffee liqueur, Orange peel
  • Nevermore — Mezcal, Averna, Gran Classico, Orange bitters, Maple syrup, Salt Solution, Orange peel
  • Taco Truck — Mezcal, Campari, Sweet vermouth
  • Oaxacan Negroni — Mezcal, Campari, Sweet vermouth, Lemon peel
  • The Reluctant Saint — Mezcal, Byrrh, Campari, Crème de Cacao, Absinthe, Orange peel

Easy Split

1 3⁄4 oz Japanese Whisky (Toguchi)
3⁄4 oz Amaro Nonino
1⁄2 oz Suze
1⁄3 oz Gin, G'Vine Floraison
Instructions

Stir, strain, coupe

Yields Drink
Year
2019
Authenticity
Your original creation
Curator rating
Not yet rated
Average rating
3.5 stars
(5 ratings)
Similar cocktails

Challenge Excepted

2 oz Bourbon, Maker's Mark
1 oz Fernet Branca
3⁄4 oz Tuaca
1⁄2 oz Triple sec, Cointreau
Instructions

Stir/Strain/Serve Up

Notes

Tracie says that the garnish, 3 brandied cherries on a stick, is very important - the tiny amount of brandy seals the deal.

History

Tracie Herrmann was challenged by a customer to marry Maker's Mark and Fernet Branca - and this is what she came up with. There is already a "Challenge Accepted" cocktail in the database - Tracy's desired name - so I am calling this one "Challenge Excepted." Interestingly enough, that one also contains Fernet. The system also provides a few other similar drinks - the Alcazer and the Root of All Evil in particular perhaps.

Yields Drink
Year
2019
Authenticity
Authentic recipe
Creator
Tracie Herrmann, The Stissing House, Pine Plains, NY
Source reference

Recipe obtained directly from the bartender

Curator rating
Not yet rated
Average rating
4.5 stars
(3 ratings)
From other users
  • Try reducing Fernet to 0.75 oz
Similar cocktails
  • Alcazer — Rye, Fernet Branca, Orange liqueur
  • Back Troubles — Cognac VSOP, Limoncello, Fernet Branca, Peychaud's Bitters, Tamarind syrup

Cells Interlinked

3⁄4 oz Rye, Rittenhouse
3⁄4 oz Amargo-Vallet
3⁄4 oz Amaro Meletti
3⁄4 oz Cherry Liqueur, Cherry Heering
1 Orange peel
Instructions

Stir, strain into old fashioned glass with a large cube or sphere. Garnish with an orange swath.

History

Part of my ongoing "4 parts, equal parts, stirred" series.

Yields Drink
Year
2018
Authenticity
Your original creation
Source reference

https://genius.com/John-francis-shade-pale-fire-a-poem-in-four-cantos-a…

Curator rating
Not yet rated
Average rating
5 stars
(10 ratings)
Similar cocktails
  • A Royal Union — Calvados, Averna, Walnut Liqueur, Amaro Nonino, Bitters
  • The Departed — Campari, Rum, Averna, Mezcal, Peychaud's Bitters, Orange peel
  • Boulevard of Broken Dreams — Rye, Campari, Averna, Mezcal, Peychaud's Bitters, Demerara syrup, Orange peel
  • No Loitering — Rye, Averna, Campari, Bitters, Lemon peel
  • No. 41 — Cognac, Amaro Meletti, Bitters
mhsx commented on 1/28/2023:

Good cocktail, bad name.

Smoky Hamptons

1 oz Bourbon, Larceny
1⁄3 oz Islay Scotch (Port Charlotte 10)
2⁄3 oz Dry vermouth, Noilly Prat Original Dry
1⁄3 oz Elderflower liqueur, St. Germain
1⁄2 oz Lime juice
4 dr Bitters (Crude Bitters Pooter)
Instructions

Stir over ice, strain.

Yields Drink
Year
2019
Authenticity
Your original creation
Curator rating
Not yet rated
Average rating
3.5 stars
(3 ratings)
From other users
  • Forgot to add bitters this first time. Gotta remember. [DLL]
  • Very tasty! I didn't have those bitters, but used some Ango and a pinch of salt.
Similar cocktails
  • Home Wrecker — Rye, Sweet vermouth, Elderflower liqueur, Lemon juice
  • La Plante de la Lune (Plant of the Moon) — Bourbon, Chardonnay, Bitters, Celery bitters, Sea Buckthorn liqueur, Lemon juice, Apricot jam
  • Zuccotti — Rye, Sweet vermouth, Cherry Liqueur, Bitters, Lemon juice, Cinnamon syrup
  • Scofflaw 2 — Rye, Dry vermouth, Orange bitters, Lemon juice, Grenadine
  • Scotchlaw — Scotch, Aromatized wine, Orange bitters, Lemon juice, Grenadine

Brave Margot

3⁄4 oz Virgin Islands Rum, Cruzan Blackstrap
1 oz Campari
1⁄4 oz Falernum, Velvet Falernum
3⁄4 oz Lime juice
1⁄2 oz Pineapple syrup
1 ds Absinthe
6 dr Fernet Branca (As Garnish)
Instructions

Shake with ice, strain into a Collins glass, and fill with crushed ice. Garnish with a spritz of Fernet Branca (6 drops), a lime wheel (omit), edible flowers, and a cherry (omit).

Notes

I made this with Pineapple Gum Syrup and I used Peychauds Bitters rather than Absinthe as I personally find Absinthe too heavy handed to use as a minor ingredient.

Yields Drink
Authenticity
Authentic recipe
Creator
Bar Marilou, New Orleans, Louisiana
Source reference

https://cocktailvirgin.blogspot.com/2019/08/brave-margot.html and http://imbibemagazine.com/brave-margot-from-bar-marilou/

Curator rating
Not yet rated
Average rating
5 stars
(12 ratings)
Similar cocktails
  • Last Bird — Jamaican rum, Campari, Herbal liqueur, Pineapple juice, Lime juice
  • Beach & Panorama #7 — Suze, Falernum, Aperol, Rhubarb bitters, Lime juice
  • Mai Jungle — Rum, Campari, Orange liqueur, Lime juice, Pineapple juice, Orgeat
  • Eye of the Hurricane — Jamaican rum, Bitters, Navy strength rum, Passion fruit syrup, Lemon juice
  • Last Day in Paradise — Amaro, Crème de Banane, Demerara Rum, Rhum Agricole, Lime juice
drinkingandthinking commented on 6/24/2025:

A delightful low ABV summer concoction! I didn't find the absinthe overpowering and in fact added a bit more.

Wall Street Insider

1 1⁄2 oz Bourbon, Four Roses (Single Barrel 100 proof)
1⁄2 oz Falernum, Velvet Falernum
1⁄2 oz Campari
1⁄2 oz Fernet Branca
2 ds Chocolate bitters
1 twst Orange peel (flamed, as garnish)
Instructions

Stir, strain into a coupe, garnish.

Yields Drink
Authenticity
Authentic recipe
Creator
Hearsay Market Square, Houston
Source reference

https://quizlet.com/408957838/hearsay-bourbonscotch-cocktails-flash-car…

Curator rating
Not yet rated
Average rating
4.5 stars
(25 ratings)
From other users
  • Used Bittermen's Xocalatl Mole bitters; added an extra layer of spice.
  • Fernet strong but not out of whack. This has a real tobacco-stained, leathery feel. Good.
  • While I feel like the Fernet might be a little high in the mix on the finish, it's still a nice drink. — ★★★
  • Cut chocolate bitters down to one.
Similar cocktails
  • Maybe...? — Bourbon, Fernet Jelínek, Bitters, Pineapple syrup, Citric acid
  • Flue-cured — Rye, Chambord, Spiced Rum, Fernet Branca, Elderflower liqueur, Bitters, Campari, Orange bitters
  • The Persecuted Gentleman — Rye, Brandy, Fernet Branca, Cynar, Orange bitters, Agave syrup
  • Fernet About Dre — Rye, Fernet Branca, Amaro Meletti, Bitters, Cherry
  • Swagger Rite — Añejo rum, Amaro Meletti, Tuaca, Fernet Branca, Virgin Islands Rum, Root liqueur, Orange peel
Zachary Pearson commented on 4/21/2021:

Good catch Fred! I'm going to revert the drink to that recipe and update the link. Thanks,  Zachary

yarm commented on 4/22/2021:

The sweetness of the Falernum does a lot to smooth over the bitterness of the Fernet. Not as aggressive as it reads.

sainsley commented on 7/03/2022:

Tasty. Wild Turkey 101, chocolate macadamia bitters, Falernum syrup (instead of Velvet). Campari and Fernet still there but have a nice fuzzy chocolate mint blanket overtop .

Cara A commented on 11/27/2022:

I dialed back the Fernet a bit for my audience. Very tasty! Also very boozy, so I made 1.5 drinks for 2 people. Love the scaling function on this site 👍🏼

OldFashionedCock commented on 11/19/2024:

Substituted Buffalo Trace. I was pleasantly surprised how well it worked together; more than the sum of its parts.

Spring Swing

2 oz Gin, St. George Botanivore
3⁄4 oz Simple syrup
1⁄2 oz Lemon juice
1⁄2 oz Elderflower liqueur, St. Germain
1⁄2 oz Maraschino Liqueur, Luxardo
3 sli Cucumber
2 sli Strawberry
Instructions

Pour ingredients into shaker, muddle, then shake. Double strain into coupe glass. Garnish with strawberry slice and cucumber wheel.

Notes

Remove Simple syrup for a drier cocktail. Use 3/4 of lemon juice for foamy finish

Yields Drink
Authenticity
Unknown
Creator
Austin Bayon
Source reference

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbdZkPFTHqY

Curator rating
Not yet rated
Average rating
4 stars
(1 rating)
From other users
  • Leaving out the simple syrup is good for those not wanting as sweet a drink.
Similar cocktails
  • Ajax — Genever, Cherry Liqueur, Aperol, Maraschino Liqueur, Cherry, Balsamic Vinegar, Orange peel, Orange, Nutmeg
  • BRRR! — Genever, Byrrh, Elderflower liqueur, Maraschino Liqueur, Lemon juice, Lemon peel
  • Violetta thyme — Gin, Elderflower liqueur, Crème de Violette, Maraschino Liqueur, Bitters, Lemon juice, Thyme
  • Tommy Noble — Gin, Pimm's No. 1 Cup, Bitters, Simple syrup, Lemon juice, Orange peel
  • Evergreen Swizzle — Gin, Herbal liqueur, Zirbenz Stone Pine Liqueur, Lime juice, Simple syrup

Western Passage

1 1⁄2 oz Batavia Arrack, Van Oosten
1⁄2 oz Sweet vermouth, Dolin
1⁄2 oz Dry vermouth, Dolin
1⁄2 oz Herbal liqueur, Yellow Chartreuse
1 ds Bitters, Angostura (or other aromatic bitters)
1 ds Orange bitters
1 Cherry
1 twst Orange peel (expressed and discarded)
Instructions

Stir, strain, coupe.

Yields Drink
Authenticity
Authentic recipe
Creator
Max Toste, Deep Ellum, Boston
Source reference

https://cocktailvirgin.blogspot.com/2012/10/western-passage.html

Curator rating
Not yet rated
Average rating
4 stars
(3 ratings)
Similar cocktails
No similar cocktails found.

Stiggins Daiquiri #2

2 oz Pineapple rum, Plantation Stiggins' Fancy
1⁄4 oz Herbal liqueur, Yellow Chartreuse
3⁄4 oz Lime juice
2 ds Bitters
Instructions

Add all ingredients to a shaking tin and then add ice. Shake well and strain into a coupe. Garnish with a slice of lime and a sprig pineapple sage (or mint).

Yields Drink
Authenticity
Authentic recipe
Creator
@theweekendmixologist
Source reference

Instagram

Curator rating
Not yet rated
Average rating
3.5 stars
(3 ratings)
From other users
  • Not my thing very dry. Added 1/4 simple bit was unremarkable
Similar cocktails
Subscribe to