Wills Mixtape Recipe

Chill glass

Place a rocks glass or coupe in the freezer or fill it with ice and water to chill while you prepare the cocktail.

Measure and combine spirits

In a mixing glass or cocktail shaker, pour 2 oz bourbon, 0.5 oz aged rum, 0.5 oz dry vermouth, and 0.25 oz amaretto.

Add sweetening and citrus

Add 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice, 0.5 tablespoon maple syrup, and 2 dashes of Angostura bitters to the mixing glass.

Add ice and stir

Fill the mixing glass with plenty of ice. Stir gently for 20–30 seconds (about 20–30 full strokes) until the mixture is well chilled, slightly diluted, and silk-smooth.

Prepare glass

Discard the chilling ice/water from your glass if used. Place one large ice cube or sphere into the chilled rocks glass.

Strain and finish

Strain the stirred cocktail over the large ice cube in the chilled glass using a Hawthorne or julep strainer so the drink pours smoothly and without shards of ice.

Express and garnish

Take one orange peel and hold it skin-side down over the drink. Give it a firm twist to express the oils over the surface, then wipe the rim with the peel and drop it into the glass. Finish by dropping one Luxardo (or maraschino) cherry into the drink.

Serve the Wills Mixtape immediately. Sip slowly to appreciate the layered flavors: warm bourbon, a hint of rum, nutty amaretto, bright citrus, and maple sweetness balanced by vermouth and bitters.

If you prefer a slightly sweeter drink, increase maple syrup to 1 tablespoon; for more brightness, increase lemon juice to 0.75 oz. Adjust bitters by one dash to taste.

To batch for a party (6 servings), multiply ingredients by 6, combine in a large pitcher, refrigerate, and stir with ice just before serving; strain into glasses over fresh ice.