Starling Recipe

Measure & Combine

Chill a coupe or Nick & Nora glass in the freezer for 5–10 minutes. In a mixing glass or shaker filled halfway with ice, pour 1.0 oz NA Amaro Lucano (or amaro-style syrup), 0.75 oz Seedlip Spice 94, 0.5 oz blood orange–infused Lyre's NA London Dry, 0.5 oz peppermint rich simple syrup, and 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice.

Stir or Shake

If you prefer a brighter, slightly frothy result, shake the mixture vigorously for 10–12 seconds. For a silkier, well-chilled, less aerated drink, stir gently with a bar spoon for 20–30 seconds until well chilled and diluted (about 20% dilution).

Fine Strain & Serve

Double-strain the drink into the chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass using a Hawthorne and fine mesh strainer to remove tiny ice shards and any herb bits. This yields a clear, smooth cocktail.

Garnish

Express the oils of a blood orange twist over the surface, rim the glass lightly with the twist, then lay the twist or a thin blood orange wheel on the edge. Slap a small peppermint sprig between your palms to wake the aromatics and rest it on the rim or float gently atop the drink.

Combine 1 cup water and 1 cup granulated sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar fully dissolves and the mixture comes to a gentle simmer (do not boil vigorously). Remove from heat.

Add 1 cup packed fresh peppermint leaves to the hot syrup. Allow the leaves to steep for 20–30 minutes, covered, off heat to extract a rich peppermint flavor. Taste after 15 minutes to ensure the mint profile is strong but not bitter.

Strain the syrup through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean container, press lightly on the leaves to extract the syrup, then cool to room temperature. Store refrigerated up to 2 weeks.

Use 0.5 oz of this peppermint-rich simple syrup per cocktail. If you prefer less mint intensity, start at 0.25 oz and adjust to taste.