Properly Sauced - The Nooner

By Anthony Todd in Food on Sep 15, 2009 6:20PM

As we discussed in our review last week, the cocktails are the high point of dining at The Drawing Room. Watching an expert mix the cocktails that he designed is a joy, and Charles Joly is an affable and knowledgeable mixer. He was also kind enough to provide us with the recipe for our favorite drink of the evening, The Nooner.

When we saw this drink on the menu, we knew we had to order it. Orange, maple and ginger are some of our favorite flavors, but we weren’t quite sure how they’d mix together in a cocktail. We’d had whisky and bourbon cocktails with maple before, and they’d been acceptable, but nothing worth remembering. This drink is different, and dangerous. The Nooner is one of those rare drinks that are so tasty, you might not realize how much you are drinking - we desperately wanted to sit and order one after another. Luckily, good sense (and a limited budget) prevailed before we fell over in the doorway of the Drawing Room.

The Nooner
Thanks to Charles Joly

2 oz Maker’s Mark
1/2 oz Navan Vanilla Cognac
1/8 oz Maple Syrup
A pinch of fresh ginger
Orange Bitters
A Twist of Orange Peel

Combine the first four ingredients in a martini shaker with ice. Shake. Pour into a martini glass and top with 3 drops of orange bitters. Twist the orange peel, and then, using a lighter, flame it over the top of the drink.

For a slight variation, called the “Twelve-Fifteen,” try Old Overholt Rye instead of Maker’s Mark.