This post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure policy here.
Cocktail History
The Legendary Coat is an autumn cocktail that was created by Alex Sukopp, former bartender of Sips From Scripts. Designed as a unique take on the classic Old Fashioned, this recipe reimagines the traditional formula with intriguing twists starting with a split base of whiskey and dark rum, which creates a warm and robust foundation with layers of caramel and molasses notes. For sweetness, it incorporates banana liqueur to add a subtle tropical fruitiness, and rich demerara syrup, known for its depth and complexity. Then, instead of the traditional bitters, it uses herbal Amaro Abano, a digestif that infuses the drink with spicy, earthy undertones. The result is a cocktail that balances familiar comfort with unexpected flavors, making it a standout choice for autumn evenings.
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 Sagamore Spirit Rye Whiskey.
Dark Rum: This is a type of rum made with sugarcane, spices, and water that has been barrel aged for a long period of time. I used Plantation Original Dark Rum.
Banana Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with bananas, vanilla extract, sugar, and alcohol. I used Drillaud Banana Liqueur.
Amaro Abano: This is a digestif made in Italy with bitter orange peels, herbs, spices, alcohol, and water.
Rich Brown Sugar Syrup: This is a sweetener made with 2:1 brown sugar and water.
Banana Slice: This is a banana that has been cut into a circular shape.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Bar Mat: This is a rubber or silicone mat that’s placed on the bar surface to catch spills, provide grip for glasses and tools, and keep the workspace clean and organized. I used the Highball & Chaser 18×12 Bar Mat.
Jigger: This is a small, double-sided measuring tool that’s used to accurately portion spirits and mixers, typically with one side measuring 1 oz and the other 1.5 or 2 oz. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Mixing Glass: This is a sturdy, wide-bowled glass that’s used to stir ingredients before they’re strained and served. I used the Viski 17 oz Cocktail Mixing Glass.
Bar Spoon: This is a long-handled spoon with a twisted shaft that’s used for stirring, layering, and reaching the bottom of tall cocktail glasses. I used the Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon.
Julep Strainer: This is a flat, perforated metal strainer with a handle that’s used to strain cocktails from a mixing glass or tin into a serving glass while keeping ice and solids behind. I used the A Bar Above Julep Strainer.
Paring Knife: This is a small, sharp kitchen knife with a narrow blade that’s used for peeling, trimming, and garnishing. I used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.
Cocktail Pick: This is a small, slender tool that’s used to skewer cocktail garnishes. I used one from the I-MART Rose Gold Stainless Steel Cocktail Pick Set.
Lowball Glass: This is a short, wide glass with a thick base that’s used for serving spirits neat or on the rocks. I used the RCR Crystal Timeless Double Old Fashioned Glass.
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 2025-03-24.
Tasting Notes
This cocktail has the following flavor profile:
• Appearance: Golden brown hue
• Aroma: Baking spices and banana
• Taste: Rye-forward flavor that’s softened with slightly sweet rum and banana notes
• Finish: Amaro spices, herbs, sweet fruit, and a lingering bite from the whiskey
Kendall’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kendall’s Take: “I love cocktails that have a story behind them. This one in particular was made up for one of my former partner’s close friends, and I found it again one day after it had been living in my recipe archive for months. He created it one night in 2022 when they were hanging out, and it’s been known as ‘Jake’s Old Fashioned’ ever since. I thought it would be fun to add it to my tasting calendar so I could try it too, and wow, he did a really good job with this one. It is a little spicy for my taste. I’m also not the biggest fan of banana, but I have to give him credit… the Legendary Coat is a really deep, complex variation that any serious imbiber will likely enjoy.”
Recipe
Legendary Coat
The Legendary Coat is an autumn cocktail that was created by Alex Sukopp, former bartender of Sips From Scripts. Meant as a unique spin on the classic Old Fashioned, the recipe splits a whiskey base with dark rum, adds in banana liqueur and rich demerara syrup for sweetness, and replaces the bitters with herbal Amaro Abano.
Ingredients
Method
-
Add whiskey, rum, banana liqueur, Amaro Abano, rich demerara syrup, and cubed ice to a mixing glass.
-
Stir for 30-45 seconds.
-
Strain into a lowball glass over a fresh clear ice cube.
-
Garnish with banana slice.
