Downhill Daring

 Story:

The Downhill Daring features Punt e Mes, which is a cross between sweet vermouth and bitter herbal liqueur, aka amaro.  It’s made from a dry white wine base, dozens of herbs & spices, and quinine.  No malaria for this crowd!  This drink is a variant of the Reverse Manhattan (2 parts sweet vermouth, 1 part rye, bitters) which splits the vermouth duties between Punt e Mes and Cocchi Americano, adds a touch of Benedictine to balance all that bitterness, and uses bourbon instead of rye to avoid hogging the spotlight.  The Downhill Daring was invented by Brian Nixon of the Truxton Inn (which closed during COVID) and McClellan’s Retreat in D.C. with inspiration from other drinks dating from early in the 20^th century.  I find this one full-bodied, simultaneously sweet and bitter, with underlying hints of chocolate and root beer candy.  It’s best when cold, so don’t linger.

Recipe:

1.5 oz Punt e Mes

1.0 oz bourbon

0.5 oz Cocchi Americano apertivo 

0.25 oz Benedictine

          2 dashes Angostura bitters, 2 dashes orange bitters
           orange twist

-add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice; stir until chilled
-strain into a chilled coupe

-express orange twist over the drink, then use as a garnish.