Heart Of Amelia Recipe

Chill the serving glass: place the coupe or Nick & Nora in the freezer for a few minutes or fill with ice water while you prepare the cocktail.

Add spirits and modifiers to the mixing vessel: pour 2 oz Suntory whisky, 0.5 oz red rice sake, 0.5 oz Amaro Nonino, 0.25 oz Liquore Strega, 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice, and 0.25 oz simple syrup into a mixing glass or shaker.

Add bitters and ice: add 2 dashes of orange bitters and fill the mixing glass with large ice cubes (enough to come near the top).

Stir until properly chilled and diluted: stir gently with a bar spoon for about 30–45 seconds (or ~20–30 rotations) until the mixture is well-chilled and slightly diluted — the glass should become frosty and the drink slightly viscous.

Prepare garnish while stirring: cut a lemon twist (long strip of peel) and express oils over the mixing glass by twisting the peel skin-side down above the drink.

Strain and serve: double-strain (if desired) into the chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass using a Hawthorne and/or fine strainer to catch any small ice shards or pulp.

Finish with the lemon twist: hold the twist over the drink and give it one firm twist to release the oils, then run the peel around the rim and drop it into the drink or rest it on the glass edge.

Optional rice accent: if using dehydrated or toasted red rice, lightly rim the glass before pouring (wet the rim with a tiny lemon wedge) or sprinkle ~1/2 tsp over the finished drink to introduce an aromatic hint of the red rice sake.

Serve immediately: present the Heart of Amelia while cold. Sip and appreciate the interplay of Japanese whisky warmth, the umami-fruit of red rice sake, bitter-sweet of Amaro Nonino, and the herbal brightness of Strega with a citrus lift.

Clean and dry tools after use: discard used ice, wash mixing glass, strainer, and spoon, and dry the coupe to be ready for the next service.