Angeleno Heights
A Californian amaro standing in for the vermouth in a whiskey cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 ozBourbon WhiskeyOr rye, for spice to answer the sageSubstitute: Rye whiskey
- 2 dashesAromatic BittersHolding the whiskey and the amaro togetherSubstitute: Any aromatic bitters
- 1 ozAngeleno AmaroStanding where the sweet vermouth would beSubstitute: Another California amaro
Instructions
- Add 2 oz bourbon, 1 oz Angeleno Amaro and 2 dashes aromatic bitters to a mixing glass
- Fill with ice and stir until cold
- Strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass
Fresh ice; the cubes used for stirring have given up what they had
- Express an orange twist over the surface
Technique Notes
Stir and strain onto fresh ice rather than building it over the cubes it was stirred with. Three ounces of spirit and no sugar means the only variable is dilution, and the ice that chilled it has already given up what it had.
Why the Angeleno Heights Works
Sweet vermouth in a whiskey cocktail brings fruit and a little sugar. Angeleno brings sage and bay instead, so the drink comes out drier and more savoury, and the Angostura is doing more work than it usually has to.