Spyglass

Spyglass by Tyson Buhler

I spy a toast on the horizon with my ancient, magical telescope. It’s coming into focus now, and appears to be a perfect accompaniment for this marvelous viewfinder to adventure. The cocktail was created by award winning bartender Tyson Buhler while at Death & Company NYC in 2017. Buhler obtained a culinary degree but then found his true passion, working as a bartender. His culinary acumen is on display in this drink, which presents as a uniquely novel gin martini, with surprising flavors of fennel and chocolate that work incredibly well.

becoming a spy …

Wild fennel liqueur is an Italian staple which may be largely unknown to most people beyond those borders. Like homemade limoncello, it’s more famous sibling, finocchietto (wild fennel liqueur) is made from locally harvested plants in season. Italians swear by their digestives, and often enjoy a glass of bitter amaro after dinner. Fennel is thought to have similar properties, and a small glass of finocchietto may provide a sweetly spiced alterative. The recommended Don Ciccio & Figli in this recipe is hard to come by, and I’m always up for a challenge, so crafted my own fennel liqueur from seeds and stems over the past few weeks, having spied this recipe some time ago. It’s a delicious and interesting cocktail you should keep your eyepiece on. Cheers!

spies like us

Spyglass by Tyson Buhler

1 ¾ oz Plymouth gin

¼ oz Krogstad aquavit

½ oz Dolin dry vermouth

½ oz Don Ciccio & Figli Finoccheitto fennel liqueur

1 teaspoon Marie Brizard white crème de cacao

Stir ingredients with ice and strain into a Nick and Nora glass. Express a lemon twist and discard.

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