Smoke Show

Direct from the balmy shores of Palm Beach, here’s a new one that sips like a venerable classic. 
 
Last month, I paid my annual visit to my totally deluxe pals in Palm Beach, Nedda and Larry. They had been to dinner at a great place on the island called Restaurant 44, where they had had a cocktail called Smoke Show. Larry wanted to make one at home but didn’t have all the ingredients on hand, so he re-created it with what he did have. The night I landed, he made one for me and it was delicious! 
 
Later in the week, we went to Restaurant 44 – beautiful place, great dinner! – and I had one of theirs. Lovely, but I liked Larry’s version better, so that’s what we have here. 
 
As chilly evenings linger here in Nashvegas, you might want to give this boozy, rich, warming, slightly smokey sipper a try. If you’ve already gone over to gin and citrus for the season, save this recipe for next fall. 
 
Smoke Show, ala Larry – a winner!

Smoke Show

  • 2 oz Bourbon

  • .5 oz Licor 43*

  • .5 oz Nocino**

  • .25 oz Amaro – I’m using Cynar here, but there are many to choose from and try.

  • 1 dash chocolate bitters

Stir all the ingredients with ice to get them cold and strain into a rocks glass with new ice. I like one big cube.

 

* Licor 43 is a Spanish liqueur with a distinct vanilla flavor.

** Nocino is an Italian walnut-based liqueur. There are several brands. A good liquor store ought to have one of them on the shelf.