Meletti Swizzle
The Meletti Swizzle is a unique and delightful cocktail that bridges the gap between Italian amari and Caribbean tiki drinks. It masterfully balances the bittersweet, chocolate, and violet notes of Amaro Meletti with the bold, funky character of Jamaican rum. The addition of fresh lime and pineapple juices provides a bright, tropical acidity, while demerara syrup adds richness. Served tall over crushed ice, it's an incredibly refreshing and layered drink perfect for warm weather.
Preparation
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Preparation time
Difficulty
Drink Classification
The Meletti Swizzle is a modern classic cocktail created in the 2010s. It falls squarely into the Tiki category due to its use of rum, citrus, and a swizzled preparation, yet its amaro base gives it a contemporary European twist.
Serving
This is a moderately strong long drink served cold in a tall, chilled Collins glass packed with crushed ice. It is designed for slow, refreshing sipping.
Serving size
Approximately 250-300 ml / 8-10 oz
Alcohol content
Estimated 15-20% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Collins or Highball
Glass treatment
Chilled
Backstory
The Meletti Swizzle was created by bartender Brad Farran at the influential New York City cocktail bar, Death & Co. It first appeared in their book "Cocktail Codex," showcasing the bar's innovative approach to drink-making. It is a prime example of taking a classic template (the swizzle) and substituting an unexpected base spirit (an amaro) to create something entirely new and delicious.
Origin
Created by Brad Farran at Death & Co., New York City, USA, in the 2010s.
Meletti Swizzle
The name is straightforward, directly referencing its primary ingredient, Amaro Meletti, and its preparation method, swizzling. It is sometimes called the Amaro Meletti Swizzle to be more descriptive, but this is less common.
Original name
Meletti Swizzle
Alternative name
Amaro Meletti Swizzle
Characteristics overview
The drink has a complex, bittersweet flavor profile with strong tropical fruit notes, balanced by a refreshing sourness. Its aroma is a fragrant mix of citrus, spice, and molasses, leading to a long, warming finish.
Flavor
bittersweet, tropical, fruity, spicy, chocolatey, herbal
Aroma
aromatic, citrus, pineapple, baking spice, molasses
Taste balance
bitter, sweet, sour
Aftertaste
long, complex, bittersweet, warming
Fizziness
still
Color appearance
deep amber, reddish-brown, frosty glass
Texture
light, crisp, cold
Seasonality
refreshing, summery
Flavor intensity & Experience
The flavor is intense and complex, with a prominent bitterness from the amaro beautifully balanced by fruitiness and sweetness. Its alcohol strength is present but well-integrated into the drink's refreshing character.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation
Ingredients
The recipe requires the bittersweet Amaro Meletti as its base, complemented by funky Jamaican rum, fresh lime and pineapple juices, and rich demerara syrup. A couple of dashes of Angostura bitters add aromatic complexity.
- Amaro Meletti1.5 oz / 45 mlA bittersweet Italian liqueur with notes of saffron, violet, and caramel.
- Jamaican Rum0.5 oz / 15 mlA high-proof, pot-still rum like Smith & Cross is recommended for its funky character.
- Fresh Lime Juice0.75 oz / 22.5 mlMust be freshly squeezed for best results.
- Pineapple Juice0.5 oz / 15 mlFreshly pressed is ideal, but high-quality canned juice works.
- Demerara Syrup0.5 oz / 15 ml1:1 ratio of demerara sugar to water, or 2:1 for a richer syrup.
- Angostura Bitters2 dashesAromatic bitters for complexity and spice.
Ice type
- Crushed
Mixing equipments
You will need a cocktail shaker to briefly combine and chill the ingredients, and a swizzle stick or long bar spoon for the essential swizzling technique.
- Cocktail shaker to combine ingredients
- Swizzle stick or bar spoon to swizzle
- Jigger to measure ingredients
- Citrus juicer for fresh juice
Instructions
The method involves a quick shake to combine ingredients, followed by the classic swizzle technique in the serving glass with crushed ice until frosty. The drink is then topped with more ice and garnished aromatically.
1. Combine Amaro Meletti, rum, lime juice, pineapple juice, demerara syrup, and bitters in a cocktail shaker.
2. Add a few ice cubes and perform a very short, brisk shake for 3-4 seconds just to chill and combine.
3. Pour the contents into a chilled Collins or highball glass filled about halfway with crushed ice.
4. Insert a swizzle stick or the back of a bar spoon deep into the ice.
5. Swizzle by spinning the stick rapidly between your palms until the outside of the glass becomes very frosty.
6. Top with more crushed ice, forming a mound over the top of the glass.
7. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and a light grating of nutmeg.
8. Add a straw and serve immediately.
Garnishing
An aromatic garnish of a fresh mint sprig and a light dusting of freshly grated nutmeg perfectly complements the drink's complex flavors and tiki style.
- Mint sprig, slapped to release oils and placed in the top of the drink
- Freshly grated nutmeg, dusted over the top
Dietary Information
This cocktail is alcoholic but generally free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, soy, and gluten (assuming distilled spirits). It is suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly
Nutrition information
This cocktail contains a moderate amount of calories, carbohydrates, and sugar, primarily from the amaro, juices, and syrup. It typically ranges from 200-240 kcal per serving.
Calories
averagely 200-240 kcal / 837-1004 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
averagely 20-25 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
averagely 18-22 g
Sugar level
Occasions
This cocktail is perfect for warm weather occasions like summer parties or relaxing on a patio. Its complex yet refreshing nature makes it an excellent choice for happy hour or as a pre-dinner drink.
- Summer evenings
- Patio sipping
- Happy hour
- Tiki parties
Pairing suggestions
The Meletti Swizzle's bittersweet and tropical profile pairs well with spicy and savory foods. It's an excellent companion to Caribbean cuisine, grilled fruits, or a charcuterie board featuring bold cheeses that can stand up to its complex flavors.
- Spicy Caribbean food
- Grilled pineapple skewers
- Salty plantain chips
- Charcuterie with funky cheeses
The Meletti Swizzle: A Tale of Italy and the Caribbean
The Meletti Swizzle is a modern tiki-style cocktail that brilliantly showcases the versatility of Italian amaro. It combines the bittersweet, chocolatey notes of Amaro Meletti with funky Jamaican rum, bright citrus, and tropical pineapple for a result that is both complex and incredibly refreshing. Created at the famed Death & Co bar, this drink is perfect for adventurous palates and warm-weather sipping, offering a unique twist on the classic swizzle format.
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