Try our simple Little Italy Cocktail recipe for your next winter gathering! This hearty cocktail, featuring rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Cynar, will keep you warm.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 236
Ingredients
- 2 oz Rye Whiskey - preferably 100 proof
- ¾ oz Sweet Vermouth
- ½ oz Cynar
- Ice cubes
- Maraschino cherries - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Martini or Coupe Glass
- Measuring Jigger
- Stirring Glass
- Bar spoon or long stirrer
- Cocktail Strainer
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Fill a Coupe glass with ice. Give it a stir to chill it and set it aside.
- Add Cynar: Pour ½ oz Cynarr into the mixing glass.
- Add Vermouth: Measure and pour ¾ oz Sweet Vermouth into the mixing glass as well.
- Add Rye Whiskey: Finally, add 2 oz Rye Whiskey.
- Add Ice and Stir: Fill the mixing glass with ice. Using a bar spoon or a long stirrer, stir well (for about 15-20 seconds). Give it a taste and stir a bit more if you feel like more dilution is necessary.
- Strain: Take your Coupe glass and discard the ice inside. Using the cocktail strainer, strain the mixture into the chilled glass.
- Garnish: Garnish with 2 skewered Maraschino cherries and serve immediately.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Rye Whiskey: If you don't have rye whiskey, bourbon is a good alternative that I've used before. It gives a slightly sweeter flavor to the cocktail but still pairs well with the other ingredients.
- Sweet Vermouth: Any kind of red vermouth can be used to make this cocktail. Feel free to experiment with your favorite bottles!
- Cynar: Although Cynar is the indicated amaro for this recipe, you can use any kind of amaro you like to make this cocktail. Amaro Del Capo, Averna or even Punt e Mes can be used as a substitute for Cynar in this cocktail.
Making a Pitcher of Little Italy Cocktail:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 16 oz of rye whiskey, 6 oz of sweet vermouth, and 4 oz of Cynar.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Cynar. Add ice and stir well. Give it a taste and stir a bit more if you feel like more dilution is necessary. Strain to remove the ice and transfer into a bottle or clean jug.
- Serve: Pour the mixture into chilled martini or coupe glasses, garnish each glass with two maraschino cherries and serve immediately. Be sure to put the bottle or jug back into the fridge or freezer between each serving: this cocktail should always be served as cold as possible. If you have any leftovers, you can keep the bottle in the fridge or freezer for up to a year.
Making it Vegan:
The Little Italy cocktail is vegan-friendly. Just pay attention to your choice of garnish: ensure that the cherry used for garnish is not processed with animal products. Some maraschino cherries are colored with cochineal extract, which is not vegan. Look for brands that use vegetable-based colorings instead, or opt for an orange zest peel as a garnish.What is a Little Italy Cocktail?
A Little Italy Cocktail is a modern classic cocktail made of rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Cynar. This twist on a Manhattan is relatively easy to make as it only involves properly mixing these three ingredients in a stirring glass.
What is a Little Italy Cocktail made of – The ingredients
Before mixing your Little Italy Cocktail, prepare these ingredients:
- Rye Whiskey forms the cocktail’s base, providing a robust and spicy flavor.
- Sweet Vermouth: This adds a sweet and herbal note to balance out the strong taste of the rye whiskey.
- Cynar: An artichoke-based bitter liqueur that gives the cocktail its unique bitter edge and complexity.
