In the last season of 30 Rock, Cooter Burger introduces Jack Donaghy to the Old Spanish, a cocktail of his own invention composed of red wine, tonic water, and olives. Later, Mad Men paid tribute by having unctuous ad man Ted Chaough order an Old Spanish and receive a drink matching that description. We’ve decided to imagine what that drink might have looked like if it were a true old style Spanish aperitivo rather than a clumsy disaster; a craft Old Spanish, if you like. Thus: sherry for wine and brine, Cynar for bitter, tonic for bubbles, cassis to round it all off. We like to imagine a Spanish Don Draper ordering one of these, in the afternoon of the dusty cantina, coolly lighting a cigarette, staring broodingly into the distance as ceiling fans spin lazily overhead and cantineros swat at flies, in the quiet years before the war.

I wanted to make a cooler style cocktail that had more depth than the usual bittersweet. The strong mesquite smokeyness of Mezcal--surprisingly--fit really well with the more traditional cooler components like Aperol and Fernet. Great top and bottom notes

A good friend of mine was looking to replicate--in drink form--a very interesting summer rose syrup custard we had had years ago. This drink combines those great floral notes and creaminess with a wonderful evenness of sweet and tart.