American Trilogy
The American Trilogy is a stirred, spirit-forward cocktail that elegantly balances the spiciness of rye whiskey with the fruity depth of apple brandy, sweetened with a touch of sugar and aromatized with orange bitters. It's essentially an Old Fashioned split-base variation, celebrating two of America's foundational spirits. The result is a complex, warming, and sophisticated drink perfect for whiskey and brandy lovers looking for a nuanced sipper.
Preparation
Preparation time: 3 minutes
Preparation time
Difficulty
Drink Classification
The American Trilogy is classified as a modern classic cocktail. It's a spirit-forward, stirred drink, placing it in the same family as the Old Fashioned. It is typically enjoyed as a sipping cocktail or a digestif.
Serving
The American Trilogy is a strong, cold drink served neat (without ice) in a chilled Old Fashioned glass. It is a spirit-forward sipper with a significant alcohol content.
Serving size
Approximately 75-90 ml or 2.5-3 oz (before dilution)
Alcohol content
Approximately 35-40% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Old Fashioned glass
Glass treatment
Chilled
Backstory
Created around 2007 by bartenders Richard Boccato and Michael McIlroy at the influential New York City bar, Little Branch. The name "American Trilogy" refers to its three core components with American roots: rye whiskey, apple brandy (specifically Laird's Bonded Apple Brandy), and orange bitters. It is a modern homage to classic American mixology and a celebration of native spirits.
Origin
New York City, USA, circa 2007.
American Trilogy
The drink is consistently known by its original name, the American Trilogy, with no common alternative names in circulation.
Original name
American Trilogy
Alternative name
None
Characteristics overview
This drink presents a complex profile with spicy rye and fruity apple notes on the nose and palate, balanced by sweetness and citrus bitterness. It has a smooth, rich texture and a long, warming finish, making it ideal for cooler weather.
Flavor
Spicy, warming, fruity, apple, baked apple, sweet, oaky, complex
Aroma
Rye spice, apple, orange zest, oak, caramel, vanilla
Taste balance
Sweet, bitter, strong
Aftertaste
Long, warming, spicy, fruity
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Deep amber, golden-brown, clear
Texture
Smooth, rich, slightly oily
Seasonality
Warming, autumnal, wintery
Flavor intensity & Experience
The American Trilogy is flavor-forward, with a strong alcohol presence balanced by sweetness, fruit, and spice. Its character is robust and complex rather than light and subtle.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation
Ingredients
The recipe calls for equal parts rye whiskey and bonded apple brandy, with a small amount of simple syrup for sweetness and a couple of dashes of orange bitters for aromatic complexity.
- Rye Whiskey30 ml / 1 ozA bonded or 100-proof rye adds a nice spicy backbone.
- Bonded Apple Brandy30 ml / 1 ozLaird's Bonded Straight Apple Brandy is traditional. Calvados can be used as a substitute.
- Simple Syrup5 ml / 1 teaspoonCan be substituted with a brown sugar cube, muddled with the bitters.
- Orange Bitters2 dashesAdds aromatic complexity and a touch of citrus bitterness.
Ice type
- Cubed
Mixing equipments
You will need standard bar tools for a stirred cocktail: a mixing glass to combine and chill the ingredients, and a strainer to serve it neat into the glass.
- Mixing glass for stirring ingredients with ice.
- Bar spoon for stirring.
- Jigger or measuring tool for accuracy.
- Cocktail strainer (Julep or Hawthorne) to pour the drink without ice.
Instructions
This drink is built in a mixing glass by stirring all ingredients with ice until perfectly chilled and diluted, then straining it neat into a chilled glass and garnishing with an orange twist.
1. Chill an Old Fashioned or rocks glass by placing it in the freezer or filling it with ice and water.
2. Combine the rye whiskey, apple brandy, simple syrup, and orange bitters in a mixing glass.
3. Fill the mixing glass two-thirds full with fresh, cold ice cubes.
4. Stir with a bar spoon for approximately 20-30 seconds until the outside of the mixing glass is well-chilled.
5. Empty the chilling ice from your serving glass.
6. Strain the mixture from the mixing glass into the chilled serving glass.
7. Take a fresh orange peel, hold it over the drink, and squeeze it to express its citrus oils over the surface.
8. Drop the orange peel into the glass as a garnish and serve immediately.
Garnishing
An orange peel is the classic garnish, which should be expressed over the drink to release aromatic oils onto the surface, enhancing the cocktail's aroma.
- Orange peel, expressed over the drink to release its oils and then dropped in.
Dietary Information
This cocktail is vegan and free from dairy, eggs, and nuts, but it is not considered gluten-free for those with celiac disease due to the rye whiskey base. It is a fully alcoholic beverage.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✕ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly
Nutrition information
The American Trilogy is a spirit-heavy drink, so most of its calories come from alcohol. It has a low sugar and carbohydrate content, derived solely from the simple syrup.
Calories
Approximately 170-190 kcal / 711-795 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 4-6 grams
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 4-6 grams
Sugar level
Occasions
This is an excellent cocktail for a quiet evening, as a digestif after dinner, or during cooler autumn and winter months. It's a sophisticated choice for cocktail enthusiasts at a home bar or a craft cocktail lounge.
- Evening Sipping
- Cocktail Hour
- Fall Gatherings
- Winter Warmer
Pairing suggestions
This robust cocktail pairs well with rich and savory flavors. Consider serving it alongside a platter of aged cheeses and charcuterie, or as a digestif with a piece of high-quality dark chocolate. The drink's complexity complements smoky and nutty notes in food.
- Aged cheddar or gouda cheese
- Charcuterie board
- Roasted nuts like walnuts or pecans
- High-quality dark chocolate
The American Trilogy: A Modern Classic Toast to American Spirits
The American Trilogy is a sophisticated, spirit-forward modern classic created in New York City. It masterfully combines the spicy character of American rye whiskey with the fruity depth of apple brandy, creating a complex and warming sipper. Balanced with a hint of sweetness and aromatic orange bitters, it's an elegant tribute to American distilling traditions. This cocktail is perfect for connoisseurs of classic, stirred drinks like the Old Fashioned who are seeking a novel twist.