Little Italy Cocktail

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PREP TIME 2 min

Cocktail Type

Whiskey

Great for

After Work

Difficulty

Easy

Little Italy Cocktail

The Little Italy cocktail is one of those modern classics that tell a whole story in a single sip. If you’re planning to pour this delightful riff on the iconic Manhattan cocktail, you better be prepared to slip into a whole Italian vibe that will likely include plenty of chef’s kiss hand gestures, knee slaps, and big, demonstrative forehead kisses.  

Here’s the lowdown on the ingredients and recipe. Scroll down for a fascinating look at the history of the Little Italy drink (it’s younger than you might think) and the artichoke liqueur (yes, artichoke!) that gives it its singular flavour profile… 

QUICK TIPS

01

A glass with a shallower bowl allows the drink’s aroma to develop nicely

02

Choose a good rye whiskey with smoky notes and caramel notes

03

Pair the Little Italy with wood-fire pizza for a cute thematic tie-in

INGREDIENTS

MAKE FOR

1 Person

60 Ml

2 Oz

2 Parts

22.5 Ml

0.75 Oz

0.75 Parts

Cynar Amaro liqueur
15 Ml

0.5 Oz

0.5 Parts

To garnish, Maraschino cherries, skewered
Ice

INSTRUCTIONS

01

Combine all the ingredients in a mixing glass with ice

02

Stir thoroughly until well-chilled

03

Strain into a chilled coupe glass

04

Garnish with cherries & serve

A brief history of the Little Italy Cocktail

The Little Italy cocktail recipe has such a classic vibe that it’s easy to assume that it’s been around for ages. However, it only came onto the scene in 2005 when American mixologist Audrey Saunders dreamed it into being in New York City.  

Her influential bar, Pegu Club, borders the Little Italy neighbourhood and this was a tip of the hat to many of her Italian patrons. By adding the deeply Italian Cynar liqueur, she created a uniquely flavourful drink, and a nice thematic overlap between Italian and American ingredients at the same time. 

What is Cynar liqueur?

Speaking of which, what on earth is Cynar liqueur? Only a little bit of amazing, friends! Cynar is a bitter Italian aperitif of the amaro variety made from 13 herbs and plants, predominant among which is the artichoke (Cynara scolymus), from which the drink derives its name. 

This moderate AVB liqueur first came onto the market in Italy in 1952, where it was marketed as the perfect solution ‘against the attrition of modern life’. Widely enjoyed as both an aperitif and a digestif, it has a versatile and distinctive flavour thanks to the artichoke leaves used in its preparation. 

Top tips on serving the perfect Little Italy Cocktail

Here are a few insider notes on serving the Little Italy cocktail like a pro, even if it’s the first time you are making it: 

Chill those glasses

A nice cool glass sets the stage for the three ingredients that make up this drink to do their finely choreographed dance to perfection. A coupe glass does the drink, but we also like a cute Nick & Nora glass. Ideally, you want something with a shallower bowl so the aroma of the drink can have its moment to shine.  

Choose a really nice rye whiskey

Even though the Cynar liqueur sets this drink apart, it’s the rye whiskey that provides its backbone. We love using the Wild Turkey 101 Rye with its warm and smoky taste and caramel aroma with lingering honey notes leading to a long, spicey finish.  

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Little Italy cocktail is a spin-off of the Manhattan, featuring rye whiskey, Cynar liqueur and sweet vermouth as ingredients.

A Little Italy cocktail makes a great aperitif or digestif, so you can serve it before or after a meal.

The inventor of the Little Italy cocktail, Audrey Saunters created it at her bar, Pegu Club, which borders the Little Italy neighbourhood and this was a tip of the hat to many of her Italian patrons.

Cynar liqueur has some deep bitter notes, but it also has a lot of sweetness. Its vegetal flavours go really well with the warm caramel and toffee notes of rye whiskey and the sweet vermouth teases out some other hidden aromas while adding its own signature kiss of subtle spice.

We love using the Wild Turkey 101 Rye with its warm and smoky taste and caramel aroma with lingering honey notes leading to a long, spicey finish.

American mixologist Audrey Saunders dreamed the Little Italy cocktail into being in New York City at her influential Pegu Club.

Cynar is an Italian bitter aperitif of the amaro variety. It is made from 13 herbs and plants, predominant among which is the artichoke (Cynara scolymus), from which the drink derives its name.

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