One Last Midnight Cocktail Recipe

The One Last Midnight is a complex and intriguing cocktail, perfect for those who enjoy sipping on something with a bit more depth. This recipe yields one serving.

Ingredients:

• Islay scotch (for spritzing)
• 2 ounces aged Venezuelan rum (or other dark rum)
• ½ ounce Cocchi Vermouth di Torino (sweet vermouth)
• ½ ounce Punt e Mes (sweeter vermouth with a bitter edge)
• 1 pinch coffee-infused salt (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. For best results, pre-chill your coupe or rocks glass. Fill it with ice and let it sit for a few minutes. Discard the ice before building your drink.
2. Hold the chilled glass upside down and lightly mist the inside with Islay scotch. A few spritzes are enough – you just want a hint of smoky aroma. Discard any excess scotch.
3. Pour the aged rum, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino, and Punt e Mes into the chilled glass.
4. Use a bar spoon to gently stir the ingredients together for about 15 seconds. This will combine the flavors without over-diluting the drink.
5. Add a pinch of coffee-infused salt to the rim of the glass for a touch of salty complexity. You can also use a simple orange peel expressed over the drink for a brighter citrus note.

Tips:

• Aged rum adds depth and richness to the drink. If you don't have aged rum, you can use a good quality dark rum, but the flavor profile may be slightly different.
• Cocchi Vermouth di Torino is a sweet vermouth known for its smooth and slightly floral character. Punt e Mes adds a touch of bitterness and complexity, balancing the sweetness of the other ingredients.
• Coffee-infused salt is a unique garnish that adds a subtle savory note to the drink. You can find it at some specialty stores or make your own by combining equal parts coarse sea salt and finely ground coffee beans, letting them sit together in an airtight container for a few days.
• Islay scotch is known for its smoky flavor. If you don't have Islay scotch, you can use another peaty scotch, but the smoky element will be less pronounced.