Tom Traubert's Blues

Keeping with tradition, I’m offering something rich and decadent for this Valentine’s Day toast. There’s no vintage provenance to this cocktail, as it’s one I created myself for a recent cocktail contest. I created a whole menu of drinks for that contest, ten in total, but this one was a bit of a mystery, an eleventh only available on the “secret menu” for those in the know who wanted something truly decadent in place of dessert.

A decadent after dinner delight

It features a combination of the elegant Italian amaro Cynar which pairs remarkably well with tequila, and sweet vermouth split with sweet PX sherry to amplify the sweet notes in the amaro. Hints of nuttiness and exotic chocolate notes are present from the bitters, and a final smoky note that mellows it all out can be found from a scotch rinse. I can’t explain how delicious this one is, a truly guilty pleasure. I’m also a sucker for Tom Waits, and this is one of the most romantic songs I know, now that we’re admitting to guilty pleasures. Here’s to romance. Cheers.

A pair of romantics

Tom Traubert’s Blues

Decadent rich sweet crème brulee, dark chocolate, compote, aromas of earth and smoke

1 ½ oz Anejo

1 oz Cynar

½ oz D’Sange sweet vermouth

½ oz Pedro Ximenez

Dash Fee Brothers Black Walnut Bitters

Dash Bitter Tears “Gypsy” Tamarind Cacao Bitters

Scotch Blend (such as Monkey Shoulder) rinsed glass

Stir ingredients together with ice and strain into the scotch rinsed glass. Chocolate square garnish.

For more Valentine's Day cocktails see: