Merchant & Frye Recipe

Preparation

1. 1

   Chill the glass

   Place a chilled rocks glass or coupe in the freezer for a few minutes or fill it with ice water to cool while you build the cocktail.

2. 2

   Measure and combine

   In a mixing glass or cocktail shaker filled about halfway with ice, pour 2 oz rye whiskey, 0.75 oz sweet vermouth, and 0.25 oz dry curaçao.

3. 3

   Add bitters

   Add 2 dashes of Angostura bitters to the mixing glass. The bitters provide depth and a warm spice note that balances the vermouth and orange liqueur.

4. 4

   Stir to chill and dilute

   Using a bar spoon, stir the mixture briskly for 20–30 seconds (about 20–30 full turns) until the outside of the mixing glass feels very cold and the proper dilution is reached. This chills and slightly dilutes the drink for balance.

5. 5

   Prepare glass and garnish

   Discard ice water from the chilled serving glass (if used). Place one large ice cube in the rocks glass (or no ice if serving straight up). Express the oils of an orange twist over the surface of the cocktail by holding the twist over the glass and giving it a quick pinch, then rub the twist along the rim.

6. 6

   Strain and finish

   Double-strain the stirred cocktail into the chilled rocks glass over the large ice cube (or into the chilled coupe if serving up). Drop the expressed orange twist into the glass as garnish.

7. 7

   Serve

   Serve immediately while cold. Sip slowly to appreciate the interplay of rye spice, sweet vermouth, orange liqueur, and bitters.