New Friend

 

Story:
The Old Pal is a classic cocktail that first appeared in print in its current form (2:1:1 rye, dry vermouth, Campari; lemon twist) in 1929.  It’s a very dry, austere drink that I want to love, but I just don’t dig the lingering dry vermouth notes.  Enter the New Friend, a variation of the Old Pal that keeps the rye, swaps in Aperol in place of the Campari, and uses Cocchi Americano instead of dry vermouth.  The drink was developed by Nick Caruana, a student of classic cocktails who writes for Serious Eats and The Straight Up.  It’s still got bitterness in there but it’s much more approachable than its older brother. In addition, there are now intriguing layers of citrus and spice.  I've seen other versions of this same cocktail in one or two other places with different names (like the Pulitzer), but I'm sticking with the New Friend title because of its link to the classic. 10/10, would make it for friends.

Recipe:

1 oz rye whiskey (something lower proof, 80-90)
1 oz Aperol
1 oz Cocchi Americano
orange twist
-stir in a mixing glass with ice until chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass.
-express orange twist over the drink and use it as a garnish