The King Cole Is A Merry, Bold Take On The Old-Fashioned

This one's from the history books. The King Cole—at least a century old—has elements of an old-fashioned and a Toronto cocktail. The key here is using a bonded, high-proof rye whiskey, something that's going to provide a bold and spicy flavor. A bar spoon of Fernet Branca will help dry out the cocktail and provide an appealing bitterness.

2 oz. rye whiskeyA bar spoon of demerara sugar syrup (2:1 sugar: water)A bar spoon of Fernet Branca

Combine in a mixing glass, add ice, and stir for 10 seconds. Pour over a single ice cube and express with a lemon peel.