E’s Requiem

E’s Requiem (adapted from Toby Maloney)

Let’s raise our glasses to Eric Fuller, the original Raleigh Renegade. Eric was a prolific and talented woodworker whose chosen medium was puzzle making. He designed and crafted some of the best puzzle boxes in the world, and left an incredible legacy when he recently died, much too soon. There are plenty of drinks we might select when thinking about him. Eric liked an Old Fashioned, for example, and might be found enjoying one at Landmark or Slims in Durham. I had a whole set of Old Fashioned variations planned to pair up with Eric’s “Button Box” series, but he only got around to making the first version, which happens to be an incredible puzzle box. He enjoyed a glass of red wine, and you might have joined him for one of those at Raleigh wine. I’m thinking about him tonight with something poignant, bracing, and bittersweet, a reminder of each precious, irreplaceable day.

James Beard award winning bartender Toby Maloney created the “Eeyore’s Requiem”, his infamous “deep dark Negroni”, at Chicago’s Violet Hour. The drink amps up the bitter components of an already bitter drink considerably, increasing the Campari by 50%, and adding the broodingly dark amaro Cynar, plus the devastatingly bitter Fernet-Branca. I’m paying homage to Eric Fuller’s Dutch roots in this version, using distinctively malty Genever in place of the typical gin. Genever makes its presence known in this drink, but plays well with the other bold flavors to create something unique and memorable. Eric, here’s to you.

E’s Requiem

1 ½ oz Campari

1 oz Cocchi Americano

½ oz Bols Genever

¼ oz Cynar

¼ oz Fernet-Branca

2 dashes orange bitters

Stir ingredients with ice and strain into a favorite glass. No garnish.