This cocktail is the perfect end to winter. It tastes balanced and refreshing, while still including some winter notes of wine, whiskey, and herbs. We’ve been fans of Lo-Fi, who makes aperitifs in California, so we were excited to try their Amaro. An Amaro is a herbal liquor commonly made by European producers. Lo-Fi’s version is infused with anise, cinchona bark, orange oil bitters, hibiscus, grapefruit, ginger, bois de rose, and gentian root. The flavors round out nicely with subtle bitterness.

A few notes before we dive in.

You can purchase premade simple syrup, but it’s also very easy to make at home. It does need some time to chill, so a good thing to remember to do in the morning or the day before.

While sometimes garnishes can be an over thought, we say don’t skip this step. It makes your at-home cocktail feel like it came from a bar, and the smell of herbs and fresh lemon you get with each sip heightens the sensory experience.

Homemade Simple Syrup

Combine 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar in a small saucepan. Place it over medium heat and once it starts to simmer, stir until the sugar is dissolved. Turn the heat off and place the simple syrup in another container to chill. This can be made ahead of time and kept in the fridge.

The Underwood Pinot Queen

Serving: 1

3 ounces Underwood Pinot Noir

1 ounce Freeland Spirits Bourbon

3/4 ounce lemon juice

1/2 ounce simple syrup

1/2 ounce Lo-Fi Gentian Amaro

Garnish: lemon wheels, fresh thyme, sage, rosemary

Directions:

1. Combine the wine, bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, and amaro in a cocktail shaker.

2. Add ice, shake, and strain over crushed ice into a tall collins glass.

3. Garnish with lemon wheels, fresh thyme, sage, and rosemary.

Recipe by PUNCH