Averna Recipe

Build and stir

Add the Averna amaro (2 oz), rye or bourbon (1 oz), simple syrup (0.25 oz) and 2 dashes of Angostura bitters into a mixing glass or a cocktail shaker filled with plenty of ice.

Stir the mixture briskly with a bar spoon for 20–30 seconds (about 20 full rotations) until well chilled and slightly diluted. Aim for the glass to frost and the liquid to be chilled to just above freezing.

Prepare glass

Place a large ice cube into an old-fashioned (rocks) glass. If you prefer served up, omit the ice and use a chilled coupe.

Strain the stirred cocktail into the prepared glass over the large ice cube.

Garnish

Express the oils from the orange peel over the drink by holding the peel skin-side down over the glass and giving it a sharp twist, then rub the peel around the rim and drop it into the drink.

Serve immediately. Tasting note: Averna gives a herbal, bittersweet backbone; the whiskey adds body and warmth, and the sugar plus bitters balance the drink.