Mercy, Mercy

Autumn calls for five o'clock short drinks that can whet the appetite and lighten up the settling dusk. Lillet with its fragrant blend of Bordeaux wines and citrus liqueur plays along with the orangey and bittersweet taste of Aperol to counterbalance the botanicals in dry gin. The bitters turn the drink into a true cocktail.

4 cl gin

1 cl Lillet Blanc

1 cl Aperol

1 dash Angostura

1 dash orange bitters

In a mixing glass with ice stir the ingredients until cold. Strain into a cocktail or coupe glass.

Instead of Lillet you may want to try Cocchi Americano, an Italian aperitif wine that is more bitter.

Source: Joseph Schwartz, Little Branch, NYC