Charmed and Dangerous

The Charmed and Dangerous

This riff off the classic Sazerac features wine instead of rye whiskey.

Ingredients

• 1½ ounces VSOP Cognac
• ½ ounce Maury vin doux naturel wine
• 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
• 1 lime
• 1 teaspoon absinthe
• 1 dried orange wheel or orange twist
• 1 star anise pod, lightly blackened with a kitchen torch or over gas burner
• Optionally, add a cinnamon stick

Steps

1. Stir VSOP Cognac, Maury, maple syrup, and two 2″ strips lime zest in an ice-filled mixing glass until cold, about 30 seconds.
2. Rinse a rocks glass or a frozen snifter with absinthe; discard. Strain cocktail through a Hawthorne strainer or a large slotted spoon into glass. Garnish with orange wheel, star anise pod and optionally a cinnamon Stick.