Jukebox Opera

Jukebox Opera by Christa Manalo

Here's a toast to music! The cocktail was created by Gloucester, Massachusetts bartender Christa Manalo a few years back and can be found in the pages of Fred Yarm’s Boston drinks bible, Drunk and Told (the sequel to his book Drink and Tell). Manalo, who got her start on the Jersey shore (a place close to my own roots) mentions that she prefers her drinks to be local, seasonal and have that “homemade element”. She also mentions that she is terrible with naming cocktails, but this one could not have been better.

rock on with this opera

The drink reads like a Negroni, with the amaro part split up into three different profiles. The Campari is still there, but it’s augmented (or pushed aside) by the Fernet, a well known bully at the bar. Cherry liqueur brings it all into alignment and amps the flavors up, for an overall experience you can rock out to for the price of a few quarters in the jukebox. Cheers!

a pair of Jukebox Heros

Jukebox Opera by Christa Manalo

1 oz St. George Terroir gin

1 oz sweet vermouth

½ oz Fernet Branca

½ oz Campari

½ oz Luxardo Maraschino liqueur

Stir ingredients with ice and strain into a favorite glass. Orange twist.

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