Colonial Ties
Soak sugar cube with bitters and muddle into a paste with soda. Add spirits and ice, stir, and strain into a rocks class prepared with an absinthe rinse. Garnish.
- The Aztec Snow — Bourbon, Crème de Cacao, Galliano, Aztec Chocolate bitters, Egg white, Nutmeg
- Plum Tuckered — Brandy, Rye, Peychaud's Bitters, Absinthe, Grapefruit soda, Tea syrup, Red Plum, Brandied cherry
- The Moxie — Bourbon, Cynar, Bitters, Mezcal, Soda water, Agave syrup, Orange peel
- Santa's Little Helper — Bourbon, Averna, Sweet vermouth, Bitters, Simple syrup, Heavy cream
- Magpies Cocktail — Bourbon, Herbal liqueur, Bitters, Ginger beer, Lime juice, Basil, Ginger
4.5 out of 5, but bumping to 5 because it is so surprising and different. The botanicals (primarily caraway) of the Linie and the peat of the Laphroaig work with the gentian in the Cocchi Americano to create an engaging bittersweet flavor that is hard to describe until you taste it. It reminds me of some citrusy Suze/Aveze/Salers cocktails with a bitter lemon/grapefruit pithiness, yet having the broader wine base of Cocchi Americano and a modest peat contribution that somehow incorporates seamlessly with the rest. The orange liqueur (I used Cointreau) provides substantial sweetness to offset the more bitter an peaty notes.