First off, if you discover your liquor cabinet somehow bereft of bourbon, do not dial 911. No doubt this is a legit emergency, but there are other ways to meet the direness of the situation. Indeed, perhaps this is an opportune time to try that dusty bottle of bourbon’s northern relation, rye whiskey. And if so, why not showcase it in a full-on fancy cocktail with mint and bittersweet amaro, created by mixologist Micah LeMon of the Alley Light in Charlottesville, Virginia. You may never go back to—nope, sorry, we can’t even utter such heresy.
The Carpetbagger
Ingredients
2 oz. Old Overholt Rye
1 oz. pineapple cordial (recipe follows)
½ oz. lemon juice
¼ oz. Fernet-Branca
Pinch mint sprig, for garnish
Pineapple wedge, for garnish
For the pineapple cordial
Chopped skin and core from 1 pineapple
1 cup light brown sugar
1 cinnamon stick
5 cloves
6 cups water
Combine ingredients in a large jar or pitcher. Cover and leave overnight. Strain into a second pitcher.
Preparation
- Add liquid ingredients to a shaker. Shake vigorously and pour into coupe glass. Garnish with pineapple wedge and mint sprig.