Shake up your cocktail routine with a Longshoreman Cocktail recipe, where the rich warmth of rye meets the intriguing bitterness of Amaro for a truly sophisticated sip.
Prep time: 1 minute minute
Mixing time: 1 minute minute
- 2 oz Rye Whiskey - 100 proof / 50% alc./vol.
- 1 oz Punt e Mes - or other full-bodied vermouth
- ½ oz Amaro Averna
- Flamed orange zest twist - for garnish, optional
Mixing Glass
Bar spoon
Strainer
Old Fashioned Glass
Chill Glass: Stir some ice cubes in your Old Fashioned glass.
Mix Ingredients: In the mixing glass, pour ½ oz Amaro Averna, 1 oz Punt e Mes, and 2 oz Rye Whiskey.
Stir: Using a bar spoon, stir the ingredients with ice until well-chilled, which usually takes around 30 seconds.
Strain: Strain the mixture into a fresh ice-filled Old Fashioned glass, perhaps over a chunk of block ice.
Garnish: Flame the orange zest, twist over the drink to release the oils, and then drop it into the glass.
Substitutes:
- Rye Whiskey: If I don't have a 100-proof rye, I opt for a lower-proof rye whiskey or a bourbon for a sweeter taste.
- Punt e Mes: A different full-bodied vermouth can work, but I prefer Punt e Mes for its unique bitterness and sweetness.
- Amaro Averna: If Amaro Averna is unavailable, I sometimes use another type of Amaro, though it changes the flavor profile slightly.
Making a Pitcher of Longshoreman Cocktail:
- Scale: To make a pitcher, I simply multiply the ingredients by the number of desired servings. For 8 servings, use 16 oz of rye whiskey, 8 oz of Punt e Mes, and 4 oz of Amaro Averna.
- Mix: Combine the ingredients in a large pitcher with ice and stir well.
- Serve: Pour into ice-filled Old Fashioned glasses, garnish with the flamed orange zest twist, and serve.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Rye Whiskey Substitute: I use a non-alcoholic spirit that has a similar spicy profile to whiskey or a strong brewed tea for depth.
- Punt e Mes Substitute: For a non-alcoholic version of Punt e Mes, I mix grape juice with a touch of lemon juice for tartness.
- Amaro Averna Substitute: A non-alcoholic bitter syrup or a mix of herbal teas can replace Amaro Averna.
Follow the same steps as the original recipe using these non-alcoholic substitutes.Making it Vegan:
The Longshoreman Cocktail is typically vegan, but I always check to ensure that the specific spirits brands I use do not use animal-derived products during filtration or any other part of the production process.