Preakness Cocktail

The Preakness is a personal favorite—a truly satisfying riff on the Manhattan that shines because of its brilliant simplicity. The key is using cocktail ingredients that can stand on their own. For my build, the high-rye spice of Old Grand-Dad Bonded provides the perfect backbone for the rich, complex Cocchi di Torino, while a small measure of Bénédictine lends its unmistakable honeyed, herbal depth. That bright pop of expressed lemon oil ties it all together beautifully. As selected by me, Anders Erickson, for the Bitter Bear spirits collection, these bottles are the foundation of many great drinks and a stellar addition to any home bar. It’s a confident, delicious cocktail built from exceptional craft spirits.