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Cocktail History
The Falling Leaves is an autumn cocktail that was created by Jassy Davis and was first published in her book Winter Warmers: 60 Cosy Cocktails for Autumn & Winter. It takes the familiar template of a Manhattan that calls for whiskey, a fortified wine, and bitters, and it gives it some rich, fall dessert flair with a unique alpine amaro, caramelized fig, and chocolate.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Rye: This is a type of whiskey made with at least 51% fermented rye grain, malted barley, corn, and yeast, which are distilled and then aged in new charred oak barrels to develop a spicy, robust flavor.
Amaro Montenegro: This is a liqueur made in Italy with a blend of herbs, spices, citrus peels, and botanicals, distilled alcohol, water, and sugar, which are blended and infused to develop a bittersweet, aromatic flavor.
Caramelized Fig Syrup: This is a sweetener made with caramelized Black Mission figs, white sugar, and water, which are heated and infused into a syrup with a deep, earthy flavor.
Chocolate Bitters: This is a concentrated flavoring made with chocolate, herbs, spices, botanicals, and distilled alcohol, which are macerated or steeped to develop a bittersweet, chocolate flavor.
Orange Slice: This is a slice of an orange that has been cut into a half wheel shape.
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.
Paring Knife: This is used to cut ingredients. I used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.
Tasting Notes
This cocktail has the following flavor profile:
• Appearance: Dark brown color
• Aroma: Bright orange, chocolate, and spices
• Taste: Punchy rye whiskey flavor sweetened by fig syrup and complex amaro notes
• Finish: Sweet chocolate and more spices
Kendall’s Take: “I love tiki drinks during the warm months, but if I’m honest, my heart will always belong to fall flavors. And wow, was this an incredible autumn-inspired tipple with which to start the season. I usually prefer bourbon, but rye is the perfect pairing with this recipe’s deep chocolate notes and interesting alpine amaro. The Falling Leaves is truly a delight, and I can definitely see myself drinking it a lot this season.”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was found in the book Winter Warmers: 60 Cosy Cocktails for Autumn & Winter by Jassy Davis.
Falling Leaves
Description
The Falling Leaves is an autumn cocktail that was created by Jassy Davis and was first published in her book Winter Warmers: 60 Cosy Cocktails for Autumn & Winter. It takes the familiar template of a Manhattan that calls for whiskey, a fortified wine, and bitters, and it gives it some rich, fall dessert flair with a unique alpine amaro, caramelized fig, and chocolate.
Ingredients
Method
Add rye, Amaro Montenegro, toasted fig syrup, and chocolate bitters to a mixing glass.
Fill mixing glass with cubed ice.
Using a bar spoon, stir for 30-45 seconds until well-chilled and slightly diluted.
Fill a lowball glass with fresh cracked ice.
Using a juleps strainer, strain into lowball glass.
Garnish with orange slice.
