Warm Up With a Rye, Amaro and Apple Cider Cocktail

With the Mott & Mulberry, Sydell Group partner and Eleven Madison Park beverage director Leo Robitschek delivers a simple, cold weather-friendly cocktail that strikes an effective balance of sweet, tart, herbaceous, and slightly minty notes. Thanks to a simple but stunning garnish of thinly sliced apples and a deep, ruby-red hue, this is a showstopper that won’t disappoint in flavor. — Oset Babür-Winter

Frequently asked questions

What is rye whiskey?

Rye whiskey is defined by having a mash bill made of majority rye — at least 51% in the United States. This composition gives rye whiskey a distinctly spicy, grassy, and dry flavor profile as opposed to sweeter, corn-dominant bourbon. 

What is amaro?

Amaro is typically made by infusing grape brandy with a mix of herbs, flowers, aromatic bark, citrus peel, and spices. This blend can include anything from cardamom to elderberry flowers. Afterward, it is sweetened with sugar syrup and aged, sometimes for years. It's silky like a liqueur, bitter and sweet in varying degrees, and aromatically complex.

Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen

The Mott & Mulberry truly benefits from an ounce of an amaro like Luxardo Amaro Abano, which adds notes of cinnamon, orange peel, and cardamom to balance the strong alcoholic backbone of rye whiskey. Don’t skimp on using top-quality maple syrup, and be sure to opt for freshly squeezed instead of bottled lemon juice.