Cinnabar Negroni variation on the Negroni classic cocktail - photo by Cheri Loughlin — Cinnabar Negroni variation on the Negroni classic cocktail – photo by Cheri Loughlin

The Left Hand cocktail caught my eye for one very specific reason. It could be considered a family member of the Negroni classic cocktail. The Negroni is one of my very favorite cocktails. The Negroni is this wonderful mix of pungent punch of flavor with herbal spice and ribbon of sweet weaved through it in excellent balance and harmony. It is one of those cocktails that lingers long on the palate. It sips slow and easy.

I just love it!

I love it so much I can’t help but play with the recipe, tweaking it with different ingredients, a spice here or there, varying the measurements, sampling with varied spirits. The Negroni is a three ingredient drink that just fascinates me.

So I had to see what the Left Hand was up to.

Left Hand Cocktail Recipe

Left Hand

1-1/2 ounce Bourbon

3/4 ounce Carpano Antica Formula {Red Vermouth}

3/4 ounce Campari

2 dashes Chocolate Bitters

Brandied Cherry Garnish

Combine liquids in mixing glass with ice. Stir to chill. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with cherry.

Left Hand Cocktail Suggested Modifications

I would reduce the Campari to 1/2 ounce. While wonderful, Campari can overpower a cocktail with its strong flavor.

Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate Bitters contain terrific cinnamon spice flavor with flavor mix of spiced root beer and cola withouth the sweetener - photo by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist — Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate Bitters contain terrific cinnamon spice flavor with flavor mix of spiced root beer and cola withouth the sweetener – photo by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

Chocolate bitters tasted alone remind me a little of spiced root beer and cola mixed without any of the sweetener. They have terrific cinnamon spice flavor. For that reason, I would certainly go a bit heavier on the chocolate bitters. After all, why use them if they go unnoticed. And they did seem to go unnoticed with only 2 dashes in the recipe above. Four heavy dashes brings lots of mocha depth to this cocktail. I like!

If you can’t find brandied cherries in your local market, make your own Bourbon Spiced Cherries.

Left Hand Cocktail Similarities

The Left Hand cocktail is similar to the Boulevardier cocktail but with the addition of chocolate bitters. The Boulevardier is a variation on the Negroni classic cocktail. The Negroni is often served on the rocks or in a chilled martini glass. Casey Barber of Good Food Stories gives a little run down on the origin of the Negroni for a little cocktail hour trivia.