Michter's American Whiskey, Cynar, Sweet Vermouth, Mole Bitters Recipe

Build and stir

Place a mixing glass or Boston shaker (without shaking) on a bar towel. Add 2 oz Michter's American Whiskey, 0.5 oz Cynar, 0.75 oz sweet vermouth, 2 dashes mole bitters, and 0.25 oz simple syrup (optional for balance) into the mixing glass.

Add ice and stir

Fill the mixing glass with plenty of large ice (or regular ice) and stir briskly with a bar spoon for 20–30 seconds (about 20–30 rotations) until the mixture is well chilled, slightly diluted, and achieves a silky texture. If using crushed or small ice, stir for 30–45 seconds.

Prepare serving glass

Place one large ice cube (or fresh ice) into a chilled Old Fashioned glass (rocks glass). If you prefer the drink neat, skip the glass ice and strain into a chilled coupe.

Strain and garnish

Double-strain (if desired) or fine-strain the cocktail from the mixing glass into the prepared serving glass over the large ice cube. Express the oils from an orange peel over the drink by holding the peel skin-side down about 3–4 inches above the glass and giving it a sharp squeeze; then run the rim of the glass with the peel and drop it into the drink as a garnish.

Serve

Serve immediately. Tasting notes: the Michter's provides a warm, vanilla-toffee backbone; Cynar adds herbal, bitter-sweet artichoke and cocoa notes that play well with the mole bitters' chocolate-spice character; sweet vermouth rounds and sweetens the profile. Adjust simple syrup by 0.25 oz increments if you prefer a sweeter cocktail.