In this era of Cocktail Renaissance we can easily over complicate things, with 18 ingredient cocktails with exotic ingredients. Sometimes the drinks seem more at home on the menu of the Mos Eisley Cantina than at your local watering hole. In contrast this drink is a simple combination of an Amaro and Coke served on a large cube of frozen lime juice. This drink was created by George Best of Restaurant Eugene in Atlanta.
Amari (plural of Amaro) are a bitter liqueur with the majority of them being Italian. They are a form of potable bitters that are most often consumed after dinner as a digestive. Amari are blends of herbs and spices in a spirit base. Many Amari makers strive to keep their blends a secret which can contain a vast array of botanicals. Some of the more common botanicals and spices are: anise, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, ginger, nutmeg, and spearmint. The most common bittering agents are wormwood, gentian root, and cinchona bark. The bitter nature is usually offset by sugar. There is a huge variety of Amari available with varying flavor profiles and sweetness levels.
The Southern Cola
1 1/2 oz. Amaro (Ramazzotti)
3 oz. Cola
1 cube of frozen lime juice
Combine all ingredients in a glass, stir and serve.
For Frozen Lime Juice Cubes
3/4 Cup Lime Juice
1/4 Cup Water
Strain the pulp out of the lime juice and mix with water before dividing evenly in your ice cube tray and freezing.
Notes:
This is a simple yet complex drink. The amaro adds a complex herbal note that compliments the deep earthy notes of the coke. As the ice dilutes the lime juice adds a bright note of acidity. Try experimenting with different Amari to create a different flavor profile that suits your palate.
