The Half Windsor
Build in shaker, add ice, shake briefly don't over dilute
Cocchi and grapefruit start sweet then sing together in a lightly sour/bitter finish
- I recommend the Islay Scotch rinse suggested in the comments. With that plus a quality cognac, this is a phenomenal drink. — ★★★★★
- Wonderful low-alcohol apertivo that replaces the more typical bitterness with a smooth tartness. Very enjoyable light drink!
- Tasty. Sweet then bitter, but mildly so. Would be a nice sub for a pre-dinner white wine.
- Light, balanced, and interesting. Mildly bitter. Stefan enjoyed it.
- For Remembrance — Gran Classico, Aromatized wine, Bianco Vermouth, Grapefruit bitters, Grapefruit juice, Rosemary, Lemon peel
Not bad, but I mostly taste grapefruit juice. I think this would be worth trying again with 1/2 oz grapefruit juice and a little club soda.
I made this up with a laphroaig rinse, 1.5 oz cocchi, 1 oz cognac, and 1/2 oz grapefruit. A different drink, but really delicious.
Laphroaig rinse, 15 ml Pierre Ferrand Cognac, 25 ml ruby red grapefruit juice, 60 ml Cocchi Americano, with a short shake. Really fantastic low-ABV sipper that has enough complexity to stand up by your friends drinking Martinis and Manhattans. Lasting gentian bitterness, but a measured sweetness up front.