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Cocktail History
The American Trilogy is a modern cocktail that was created by Richard Boccato and Michael McIlroy at Little Branch in New York City, New York. Named for Elvis Presley’s song, the recipe is an Americana-themed reinvention of the classic Old Fashioned that intentionally uses USA-made ingredients for familiar yet deeper and more complex flavors.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Rye: This is a type of whiskey made with at least 51% rye grain, malted barley, corn, and water. I used Heaven Hill Distillery Rittenhouse Rye.
Apple Brandy: This is a type of brandy made with apples, pears, spices, sugar, and alcohol. I used Laird’s Applejack.
Demerara Syrup: This is a sweetener made with Demerara sugar and water. I made mine using this stovetop recipe.
Orange Bitters: This is a food product made with oranges, botanicals, herbs, and alcohol. I used Angostura Orange Bitters.
Orange Peel: This the peel of an orange that has been cut into a strip.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Mixing Glass: This is used to hold the ingredients while they’re being stirred. I used the Viski 17 oz Cocktail Mixing Glass.
Bar Spoon: This is used to stir ingredients. I used the Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon.
Julep Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is stirred. I used the A Bar Above Julep Strainer.
Peeler: This is used to remove the garnish peel from the citrus. I used the OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Peeler Set.
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Tasting Notes
This cocktail has the following flavor profile:
• Appearance: Brown-ish orange color
• Aroma: Citrus and whiskey spices
• Taste: Sharp spicy rye flavor rounded out with fruity apple and rich, dark sweetness
• Finish: Bright citrus notes
Kendall’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Kendall’s Take: “In my opinion, the classic Old Fashioned is already a recipe fit for cooler weather, and this variation takes that characteristic up a notch. The taste was as I expected—rye with a hint of apple, sugar, and citrus. I think I’d like the American Trilogy better with bourbon because I found the rye to be a touch too spicy. Bourbon is also my favorite whiskey though. Overall, this was a great Old Fashioned riff that would be great for fall and winter sipping.”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from The Essential Cocktail Book: A Complete Guide to Modern Drinks by the editors of PUNCH and Megan Krigbaum.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning we make a small commission each time you purchase a product using our links. Product images sourced from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon affiliate links last updated on 2025-01-13.
American Trilogy
The American Trilogy is a modern cocktail that was created by Richard Boccato and Michael McIlroy at Little Branch in New York City, New York. Named for Elvis Presley's song, the recipe is an Americana-themed reinvention of the classic Old Fashioned that intentionally uses USA-made ingredients for familiar yet deeper and more complex flavors.
Ingredients
Method
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Add rye, apple brandy, Demerara syrup, bitters, and cubed ice to a mixing glass.
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Stir for 30-45 seconds.
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Strain into a lowball glass over a clear ice cube.
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Garnish with orange peel.
