The pairing for this secret heart comes from the wonderful Death and Company Modern Classics book.  Death and company was the term applied to those desperate souls who drank during the dark days of prohibition, and was adopted as the name of one of the more influential bars in New York City.  Also invented by Brad Farran, the creator of the Heart Shaped Box cocktail, this year’s tasty tipple features tequila, which is sure to make your heart beat faster.  The drink is based on the classic Manhattan, which combines rye and sweet vermouth, but swaps the rye for a finely aged tequila instead.  Farran then gives the drink a little tickle, with the addition of a his “Tickle Juice”, a combination of crème de cacao chocolate liqueur and Cynar, the deliciously herbal Italian amaro, which finds its way into a number of Death & Co. creations.  Be careful, this is another potent love potion that might make you feel warm and fuzzy inside.  Happy Valentine’s Day!

Te Amo by Brad Farran

Te Amo by Brad Farran

2 oz anejo tequila (e.g. El Tesoro)

¾ oz sweet vermouth (e.g Cocchi Di Torino)

2 tsps crème de cacao (e.g. Marie Brizard white)

1 tsp Cynar

1 dash orange bitters

1 dash Bittermens Xocolatl Mole bitters

1 dash Bittermens Hellfire Habanero Shrub

Stir ingredients together with ice and strain into a favorite glass.  Garnish with an orange peel or something heart-felt.

A lovely pair