The Art of Choke

Kyle Davidson, The Violet Hour | Chicago

Art of Choke cocktail

With its split base of white rum and Cynar, The Art of Choke was first created by bartender Kyle Davidson at The Violet Hour in Chicago in 2008. “That drink ran against everything I taught him,” says Toby Maloney, who was dumbfounded when he was first presented with the cocktail. Nonetheless, people ordered it. Today, it’s considered a modern classic.

Ingredients

Serving: 1

  • 1 ounce white rum
  • 1 ounce white rum
  • 1 ounce Cynar
  • 1 ounce Cynar
  • 3/4 teaspoon lime juice
  • 3/4 teaspoon lime juice
  • 3/4 teaspoon demerara syrup (2:1, demerara sugar:water)
  • 3/4 teaspoon demerara syrup (2:1, demerara sugar:water)
  • 1/4 ounce green Chartreuse
  • 1/4 ounce green Chartreuse

Garnish: mint sprig

Directions
  1. Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass over ice and stir until chilled.
  2. Strain into a rocks glass over ice.
  3. Garnish with a mint sprig.