Witty Comeback

COCKTAIL INGREDIENTS:
- 60 ml Rye Whiskey
- 15 ml Amaro Averna
- 15 ml Fresh Lemon Juice
- 15 ml Ginger Syrup

GARNISH:
- Orange Twist

INSTRUCTIONS:
• Combine all of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker.
• Add ice and shake until chilled.
• Double strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
• Garnish with a twist of orange.

Cocktail author: Dan Saltzstein and Jim Meehan.

To my understanding Witty Comeback came from the collaboration between Dan Saltzstein and Jim Meehan, when Dan sought to create an original cocktail to serve his house guests. The result was a delicious, rich cocktail with rather simple specs, perfect for home-bartenders.

Base spirit chosen for the cocktail is Rye Whiskey. It is clearly present in the cocktail contributing oaky, peppery notes, but not overtaking other flavours. Rest of the ingredients kind of softens, tames and mellows the strong spirit, letting it seamlessly blend into the drink. Rich, bitter-sweet taste of Averna with hints of orange and licorice brings a lot of sophistication to the mix. Addition of lemon juice contributes a touch of, so needed, freshness balanced by the slight bite of ginger at the end.

Altogether, Witty Comeback is a tasty simple cocktail, that maintains an aura of sophistication about it. Give it a try if you have a chance.

Source material:
https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/witty-comeback