Rob Royale

This is the cocktail I came up with on the spot during our September 2021 video shoot when I realized I hadn’t developed a recipe to use as the example for the Manhattan Challenge. Love it to this day and still make it!

Stir Scotch, vermouth, and orange bitters with plenty of ice for 20 seconds. Spritz a frozen double rocks glass with absinthe or pastis. Strain into prepared glass. Top with 1 oz. Champagne or other dry sparkling wine. Express and discard an orange twist atop and garnish with a Luxardo cherry on pick.

INGREDIENTS

1½ oz. Famous Grouse
1½ oz. vermouth aperitivo,
preferably Punt e Mes
1 dash orange bitters
Absinthe or pastis, for spritzing
Champagne, to top
Orange peel, for expressing
Luxardo cherry, for garnish

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