This Negroni riff was one of three drinks featured in my Autumn Aperitivo class (2021). It combines aged apple brandy, amaro, and Madeira or sherry, with a small measure of maple syrup and a pinch of salt. Served over a big cube and garnished with an orange twist.

This great fall highball was an impromptu response to a request from my spouse. I call it the Bitter Hi-Fall and it was one of the drinks for my Autumn Aperitivo class (2021). Just as that class combined American fall flavor with Italian aperitivo, this drink sits somewhere between a classic highball and an Americano. Equal measures of apple brandy, amaro, and Madeira or sherry join spicy ginger beer in this perfect autumn aperitif.

This drink was developed as part of my Autumn Aperitivo class. It’s a fix built on apple brandy, lemon and orange juices, and maple syrup, served over crushed ice with an amaro float and a generous grating of nutmeg. It’s really good.