Des Esseintes

CVS is an endless repository of new and exciting drinks, though I probably lean on them too much. But see, I have this bottle of Del Maguey Mezcal de Vida burning a hole in my bar, and then this brilliant opportunity to mix it with an amaro comes along, and how could I resist? Amaro Nonino tends toward the sweeter side of amari, and I find that, much like Cardamaro, it occupies the same same general flavor profile as a good sweet vermouth. Make a Manhattan with Nonino or even Ramazotti instead of vermouth and you'll see what I mean. They are substantially different from a sweet vermouth, but when you put them in your drink, they do the same thing.In light of this similarity, I think this drink, Des Esseintes, is a lot like a Martinez with mezcal instead of gin. Of course, the devil is in the details, and I think the pairing of Nonino and Mezcal is a grand one, so much so that I tried to realize it with gummy bears, but you shouldn't do that, probably.

Des Esseintes1.5 oz Mezcal (Del Maguey Mezcal de Vida)1.5 oz Amaro Nonino1 barspoon Maraschino (Luxardo)2 dashes Angostura Bitters2 dashes Regan's Orange BittersStir over ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

The mezcal's smokiness made for an enjoyable riff on a classic, but overall this was too sweet for my palette. I think it would have been a lot better with only one ounce of amaro, particularly because Nonino is so very sweet. If someone asked me for a mezcal drink, this is not the first one I would make for them, but it might be the third.