The Artichoke Hold
The Artichoke Hold is a very modern classic – it was only invented in 2019 by Jeremy Oertel at Donna Bar in New York - and has to be one of the best cocktail names ever.
I love this drink because it’s quite a surprising use of Cynar, the artichoke amaro. Most drinks which use it are quite boozy and brooding, whereas this is actually really tropical – as much as it still packs a punch!
It’s a great example of how amari can add a layer of complexity to really any style of drink, and bartenders love playing with them for an unusual edge where the drink would be a little flat otherwise.
Ingredients
20ml (2/3oz) dark rum
5ml (1/6oz) overproof rum
25ml (5/6oz) Cynar
15ml (1/2oz) elderflower liqueur
15ml (1/2oz) orgeat
20ml (2/3oz) lime juice
Mint sprig to garnish
Equipment
A jigger
Shaker tins
A rocks glass
Method
Add all of your ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake HARD!
‘Dump’ (i.e. don’t strain, just pour the entire contents of your shaker) into your rocks glass.
Garnish with a mint sprig and enjoy!
Suggested Spirits
This works well with a funky and big rum. Smith & Cross was the original, but it’s pretty hard to get here in Australia so we used Pussers. Most Jamaican rums will work. You can also use something overproof for more of a kick.
Cynar is the most well-known of the carciofo (artichoke) family of amaro and its distinctive, vegetal bitterness really makes this drink.
We used Marie Brizard elderflower liqueur but St Germain is another great one, or even an elderflower cordial would work.
Extended Viewing
