Bourbon Renewal Recipe

Prepare glass

If using a smoked rinse (optional), place a rocks glass upside down over a small smoking device or use a torch to ignite wood chips in a small bowl, capture smoke in the glass for 10–15 seconds, then pour out excess and swirl 1/4 oz high-proof bourbon in the glass to coat. Discard excess and set the glass aside. If not smoking, simply chill the serving glass in the freezer or fill with ice while you prepare the drink.

Combine spirits and flavorings

In a mixing glass add 2 oz bourbon, 3/4 oz sweet vermouth, 1/2 oz amaro, 1/4 oz orange curaçao, and 1/4 oz simple syrup.

Add bitters

Add 2 dashes Angostura bitters and 1 dash orange bitters to the mixing glass.

Stir and chill

Fill the mixing glass with large ice cubes (about 6 pieces). Stir gently with a bar spoon for 30–45 seconds (about 20–30 full turns) until the mixture is well chilled and properly diluted (the spoon should leave a slight trail).

Strain

Using a julep or Hawthorne strainer (or a fine mesh if desired), strain the cocktail into the prepared chilled/smoked rocks glass over one large clear ice cube or into a chilled coupe if you prefer up instead of on the rocks.

Garnish and serve

Express the oils of an orange twist over the surface of the drink by holding the twist over the glass and giving it a sharp bend, then run the peel around the rim and drop it into the drink. Optionally add one Luxardo cherry on a pick. Serve immediately.

If you elected to do the smoked rinse: place a small bed of wood chips in a heatproof bowl, ignite until they smolder, then invert the serving glass over the smoke to capture it for 10–20 seconds. Pour a quarter-ounce high-proof spirit into the smoked glass, swirl to coat, and discard excess prior to straining the finished cocktail into that glass.