Palio Old Fashioned Recipe

Prepare demerara syrup (if not ready)

Combine 2 parts demerara sugar with 1 part hot water (for example 1 cup sugar to 1/2 cup water). Stir until sugar dissolves. Cool completely before use. Store refrigerated up to 2 weeks.

Add 2 oz Woodford Reserve bourbon, 0.5 oz Braulio amaro, 0.25 oz demerara syrup, 3 dashes Angostura bitters and 1 dash orange bitters (optional) to a mixing glass.

Fill the mixing glass with large ice cubes to chill and dilute. Stir briskly with a bar spoon for about 20–30 seconds (roughly 15–20 full turns) until the mixture is well-chilled and slightly diluted.

Place a large ice cube in a chilled old fashioned (rocks) glass.

Strain the stirred cocktail over the large ice cube into the glass using a Hawthorne or fine strainer if available.

Express the oils from an orange peel over the drink by holding the peel skin-side down about 2–3 inches above the glass and giving it a firm twist, then rub the peel around the rim and drop it into the drink as garnish.

Serve immediately. The Palio Old Fashioned is best enjoyed slowly to appreciate the balance of bourbon warmth and Braulio's herbal bitterness.

If you prefer a slightly sweeter or less amaro-forward drink, adjust by adding up to 0.25 oz more demerara syrup or reducing Braulio to 0.25 oz. Taste and tweak future pours to preference.