La Rue Monge

Hey guys! Long time no post, I know, trust me. Things have been crazy around here and I'm graduating in a little over a week! But here I am, drinking a cocktail mid exam cram time, and I just had to share. I've been drinking this for a couple of years now, but have learned the best ways to tweak it. This is a riff on a boulevardier, which is typically made with rye whiskey or bourbon. A while ago, someone recommended that I try a negroni with smoked maple bourbon. I KNOW. It is as amazing as it sounds. 

Over time, I tweaked a few things though. I stopped doing a typical negroni 1:1:1 ratio, I started using Lillet Rouge (a fortified wine) instead of sweet vermouth, or when I have access, I love Carpano Antica Formula, an amazingly flavorful vermouth that's worth every penny. So if you're tired of the typical negroni and want something new, give this a whirl! I could drink it 24/7. Play around with your sweet vermouths too! There's nothing like variety. Also, no one would judge you if you added an orange popsicle to your cocktail...

La Rue Monge

• 1 - 1.5 oz Knob Creek smoked maple bourbon
• 1 oz Campari
• 1 oz sweet vermouth/Lillet Rouge/Carpano Antica Formula
• dash of blood orange bitters
• ice
• burnt orange/blood orange peel, for garnish

1. Place 3-4 ice cubes in a cocktail shaker. Add bourbon, Campari, vermouth/Lillet, and blood orange bitters. 
2. Stir until well combined.
3. Strain into a glass.
4. Add fresh ice if desired and garnish with an orange peel!