Eeyore’s Requiem

Sticking with the Winnie the Pooh theme, I’ve invited Eeyore to the party.  You may not realize, but Eeyore’s name is intended to be onomatopoeic.  When spoken with the appropriate English accent (presumably the kind favored by A. A. Milne, for example), the “r” is less “r” and more “aw”, such that “Eeyore” sounds quite like “hee-haw”, just the sound that an old gray donkey might be fond of making.  Of course all my English friends are probably reading dumbfounded at the idiocy of their American friend, having to explain something so obvious.  

Eeyore's Requiem by Toby Maloney

If Eeyore grew up and wanted an after dinner drink, I imagine he would drink amaro.  Amaro, you recall, is that class of bitter aperitif or digestive drink made from botanicals and herbs and favored by old Italian grandfathers and old gray donkeys alike.  Amari have become quite popular and are being produced all over the world now.  Author Brad Parsons has written an entire cocktail book devoted to them, and this particular cocktail suits our theme quite well.  In “Eeyore’s Requiem”, Chicago bartender Toby Maloney combines no fewer than three separate Amari in a negroni-esque tribute to our favorite droll and depressing character, and the result might just lift your spirits.  Here’s to the surprising sweetness in life hiding inside the unlikeliest of characters, like a puzzle waiting to be solved.  Cheers!

Help me if you can, I've got to get back to the House on Pooh Corner by one ...

Eeyore’s Requiem by Toby Maloney

1 ½ oz Campari

½ oz Gin

¼ oz Cynar

¼ oz Fernet Branca

1 oz Dolin Blanc Vermouth

15 drops Orange bitters

3 Orange twists

Stir ingredients together with ice and strain into a favorite glass.  Garnish with Eeyore’s Tail, which you may find is serving as a bell pull over at Owl’s place.  Cheers!