The hardest part of coming up with this cocktail was naming it. It's inspired by PDT's Betula, substituting summery Italian Aperol for the Betula's rum. Geographically it's all over the place. The core ingredient is whiskey, specifically Corsair's Triple Smoke American Single Malt Whiskey. It has a distinctive smoky aftertaste. The sweetener is maple syrup, heralding from New England.
My main idea was to do something that signifies the end of summer, with the Aperol and lemon looking back to cold drinks on a warm evening, and the whiskey and maple syrup looking ahead to the coming cold months. If all that backstory makes me sound like a blubbering Project Runway contestant trying to explain a haphazard design to the judges, fear not. This isn't a haphazard drink. It's rather good, I promise!
Summer to Fall
1 oz. smoked whiskey (Corsair Triple Smoke American Single Malt Whiskey)
1 oz. Aperol
1/2 oz. maple syrup
1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice
Lemon twist (optional garnish)
Combine liquid ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake well until cold and strain into lowball with ice. Serve with lemon twist.
Yes, it is rather good. Thank you for making it!
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