Botofogo Cocktail

There must be an alternate universe out there where bitters are hard to find but you can walk into any liquor store and pick up a bottle of Amer Picon. In our world, Amer Picon has disappeared in the U.S.

That's the link between the Botofogo and a Manhattan. Amer Picon is a great substitute for orange bitters. It has a cola-like richness and tons of bitter orange flavor. My homemade Amer is made with Ramazzotti, orange peels, MurLarkey Justice white whiskey, and Royal Combier.

A Manhattan with orange bitters lightens up a Manhattan for spring drinking. Fortunately there are a half dozen commercially available kinds of orange bitters from Regans and Hella to Fee Bros. Bittermans. You can still make your own with the peels of six oranges and a cup of high proof neutral spirits. Let the peels soak for a month and strain out the solids. These bitters are cheap and never go bad. Once you have these, you are on the right track to making Amer Picon.

• 1 oz. blended whiskey (MurLarkey Heritage used)
• 1 oz. sweet vermouth (Cocchi Dopo Teatro used)
• several dashes Amer Picon

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.