Maple Rye Sour

It can sometimes be difficult to make a good rye cocktail because rye whiskey is so spicy and can throw off the balance of a drink.  This complex drink successfully combines sweet, spicy, herbal, and sour flavors.

Maple Rye Sour
2 oz. Rye whiskey
½ oz. Lemon juice
½ oz. Orange juice
¼ oz. Maple syrup
¼ oz. Amaro

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake to combine and chill.  Strain into a lowball glass.

The rye whiskey tickles the tip of the tongue followed by the smooth sweetness of maple and the sour fruit juices mid-palate.  The amaro adds an herbal, bitter roundness to the drink.  We didn’t have the specific type of amaro called for, but we really like the homemade version that a friend made.  This cocktail is delicious and one we’ll return to often (when we drink rye instead of bourbon).