Fightin’ Words Recipe

Chill glass

Place an old-fashioned (rocks) glass in the freezer or fill with ice water to chill while you prepare the cocktail.

Measure ingredients

Measure 2 oz rye, 0.75 oz Cocchi Rosa, 0.25 oz fernet, 0.25 tsp orange blossom water, 2 dashes Angostura bitters, and 0.25 oz simple syrup (if using) into a mixing glass.

Add ice for stirring (enough to fill the mixing glass) and stir the mixture for 20–30 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted (aim for ~20% dilution). Stir until the mixing glass is cold to the touch.

Taste briefly; if you prefer it slightly sweeter or less herbaceous, add up to another 0.25 oz simple syrup and stir briefly to incorporate.

Dump the ice or water from the chilled serving glass and place a large clear ice cube in the glass.

Strain the stirred cocktail into the chilled rocks glass over the large ice cube using a julep or Hawthorne strainer.

Prepare flamed orange

Express the oils: hold the large strip of orange peel skin-side toward the drink about 8–10 inches above the glass. Using a lighter or match, gently heat the outside of the peel for a second to warm the oils, then quickly squeeze the peel so a thin spray of oils arcs across the flame and over the surface of the cocktail. For a more dramatic flame: hold a lit match near the peel while squeezing so the oils ignite and briefly flame before falling onto the surface; exercise caution and keep a hand over the glass to control sparks. Allow the flame to die out and rub the rim of the glass with the peel to transfer additional oils.

Drop the used peel or the optional small twist into the drink as garnish.

Serve immediately.