This Old-Fashioned riff nods to the spirits used in the Diamondback, a 20th century classic made with rye, applejack and yellow Chartreuse. Created at New York bar Little Branch by Richard Boccato and Michael McIlroy, the drink is emblematic of the popularity of Laird’s Bonded Apple Brandy, which was newly available in the city in the aughts.
American Trilogy
Richard Boccato, Dutch Kills & Michael McIlroy | New York City

Ingredients
Serving: 1
- 1 ounce rye
- 1 ounce Applejack, bonded
- 1 brown sugar cube
- 2 dashes orange bitters
Garnish: long, curly orange peel
Directions
- In a rocks glass, add sugar cube and saturate with orange bitters.
- Gently muddle to make a granulated paste.
- Add whiskey and ice (preferably an oversized cube).
- Garnish with a long, curly orange peel.