Ingredients
- 1 3/4 ozBourbon WhiskeyNearly the whole drink
- 1 dashJerry Thomas Own Decanter BittersThe heavier, sweeter of the two aromaticsSubstitute: Any rich aromatic bitters
- 1 dashAromatic BittersThe recipe says aromatic bitters without naming a brandSubstitute: Any aromatic bitters
- 1/3 ozApricot LiqueurThe only real sweetness
- 2 dashesPimento DramBrings allspice; a little is plenty
Instructions
- Build 1 3/4 oz bourbon, 1/3 oz apricot liqueur, 2 dashes pimento dram, 1 dash Jerry Thomas Own Decanter Bitters and 1 dash aromatic bitters in a rocks glass
In the serving glass; the sweet fraction is small enough to lose
- Add ice and stir well
- Express an orange zest over the surface
Technique Notes
Build it in the glass rather than a mixing tin. In each serving there is only a third of an ounce of apricot and two dashes of dram against nearly two ounces of bourbon, and stirring in the serving glass keeps that small sweet fraction where it lands on the palate.
Why the The Bittern Works
Two aromatics in one drink is unusual and works here because they are not the same shape: Jerry Thomas is dried fruit and clove, a modern aromatic is bark and cinnamon. The apricot sits between them and gives both something fruity to attach to.