Sometimes a long day of work just screams for an indulgent cocktail.  I fell in love with this cocktail when I had it out for dinner one night in Atlanta.  After a few tries I finally recreated it.  The secret is the walnut and orange bitters — they’re right on the mixers aisle.  Those little dashes kick the whole thing into high gear! 

Ingredients:

2 oz rye whisky

¾ oz sweet vermouth

2 dashes walnut bitters

2 dashes orange bitters

Splash turbinado sugar simple syrup

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake thoroughly for one minute.  Strain in a martini class and serve with a flamed orange peel. 

For the turbinado sugar simple syrup — just combine one part of turbinado sugar (sugar in the raw) with two parts water and heat over medium heat until dissolved.  Cool and store in the fridge.  This adds a depth of flavor that lends itself to caramel.  It’s delicious!