Soundcheck Recipe

Combine honey and hot water in a small jar or bowl. Stir or whisk until the honey fully dissolves and the mixture is homogenous. Let cool to room temperature before using. Stores refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

Chill glass

Place a coupe or Nick & Nora glass in the freezer or fill with ice water to chill while you prepare the cocktail.

Build and shake

In a cocktail shaker, add 2 oz bourbon, 0.5 oz Fernet Branca, 0.75 oz honey syrup, 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice, and 2 dashes Angostura bitters. Fill the shaker with large ice (or regular ice) and shake vigorously for 12–15 seconds until very cold and slightly frothy.

Double strain

Discard the ice or water from the chilled glass. Double-strain the cocktail into the chilled glass through a fine mesh strainer (and the shaker strainer) to remove small ice chips and any pulp.

Garnish and serve

Express a lemon twist over the surface to release oils, rub the rim lightly with the twist if desired, then drop it into the glass as garnish. Serve immediately.

Tasting note: The bourbon provides the base sweetness and oak, Fernet Branca adds herbal bitterness and menthol/anise notes, honey syrup smooths and rounds the acidity from the lemon, and bitters tie the flavors together.