The Warning Label by Maks Pazuniak

I’m toasting Joe and his puzzle with a cocktail that tells a cautionary tale about this puzzle. The cocktail comes from Maksym Pazuniak, a New Orleans bartender who along with Kirk Estopinal edited a slim cult classic cocktail recipe book known as “Beta Cocktails” in 2011. It features equal parts of Cynar, a bittersweet Italian amaro renown for its use of artichoke leaves, overproof rum from Guyana, and the unique vermouth “Punt e Mes”, which means “point and a half” and refers to its formula of 1 part sweet to ½ part bitter. To these delicious ingredients is added a dash of both orange and grapefruit bitters, and to top it all off there is a rinse of Campari in the glass. 

Sweet vermouth and Ramazzotti are a good substitute for Punt e Mes

The drink is a variation of the classic Negroni, albeit with strong rum and different amaro and vermouth. And while absolutely delicious on its own, it was the end of August in Houston when I made it – not the best time for a dark and brooding drink - so I gave it the Morgenthaler treatment. Jeff Morgenthaler has improved the lives of many a cocktail, and has a summer fix for the Negroni as well (not that it needs fixing). He adds fresh orange juice and some simple syrup, then blends it all up with ice for a slushy taste of heaven. Cheers! 

Comes with Warning Label, proceed with caution

The Warning Label by Maks Pazuniak 

1 oz Cynar 

1 oz Demerara 151 rum 

1 oz Punt e Mes 

1 dash Regan’s orange bitters 

1 dash grapefruit bitters 

Campari rinse 

To frappe: Add above plus ½ oz fresh orange juice, ½ oz fresh lime juice, and ¾ oz simple syrup to a blender. Top with about 8 ice cubes and blend.