Petrucci

The Petrucci is a modern classic cocktail that beautifully marries the spicy notes of rye whiskey with the complex, bittersweet flavors of Amaro CioCiaro and the bright orange notes of Aperol. It's a stirred, spirit-forward drink, perfect for those who enjoy a well-balanced sipper like a Manhattan or a Boulevardier, but with a unique herbal and citrus twist. This drink offers a complex yet approachable profile, making it a favorite among cocktail enthusiasts seeking something different.
Petrucci

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Petrucci is classified as a modern classic cocktail. Due to its balanced bittersweet profile, it serves wonderfully as an aperitif to stimulate the appetite before a meal. It can also be enjoyed as a digestif or a sophisticated sipping drink at any time.

Serving

This is a spirit-forward drink served cold and straight up in a chilled coupe or cocktail glass. Its alcohol content is noticeable, providing a pleasant warmth typical of classic stirred cocktails.
Serving size
Approximately 90 ml or 3 oz (before dilution)
Alcohol content
Estimated 25-30% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

Created by cocktail historian and author Robert Hess, the Petrucci is named in honor of John Petrucci, the renowned guitarist for the progressive metal band Dream Theater. Hess crafted this drink to be a complex, layered, and powerful sipper, mirroring the intricate and dynamic music of the band. It's a fantastic example of how inspiration for new cocktails can stem from any art form, including progressive metal music.
Origin
The Petrucci was created by Robert Hess in the United States during the modern cocktail revival of the early 21st century. It stands as a testament to the era's creativity and rediscovery of classic cocktail structures and ingredients.

Petrucci

The drink is consistently known as the Petrucci or Petrucci Cocktail, with no significant alternative names in common use. Its name is a direct homage from its creator to a specific individual.
Original name
Petrucci
Alternative name
Petrucci Cocktail

Characteristics overview

The Petrucci offers a complex aroma of rye spice and orange, leading to a bittersweet, herbal, and spicy flavor profile. It has a smooth, silky texture and a long, warming finish, making it an excellent sipper for any season, particularly autumn.
Flavor
bittersweet, spicy, herbal, orange, citrusy, complex, rich
Aroma
orange peel, rye spice, gentian, dark caramel, subtle floral notes
Taste balance
balanced, bitter, sweet
Aftertaste
long, warming, bittersweet, herbal, spicy
Fizziness
still, none
Color appearance
deep amber, reddish-brown, clear
Texture
smooth, silky, medium-bodied
Seasonality
year-round, warming, autumnal

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor profile is intense and complex, led by a strong bitterness from the amaro and Aperol, balanced by subtle sweetness and rye spice. It is a potent, spirit-forward drink with no carbonation.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires three key spirits: spicy rye whiskey, the bittersweet Amaro CioCiaro, and the vibrant Aperol. A couple of dashes of orange bitters are also essential to complete the flavor profile.
  • Rye Whiskey45 ml / 1.5 oz
    A rye with a high rye content (95-100%) works well to cut through the bitter liqueurs.
  • Amaro CioCiaro22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    This specific amaro has a distinctive orange and cola note. If unavailable, another dark, citrus-forward amaro can be substituted.
  • Aperol22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Provides bright orange notes and a gentle bitterness that complements the other ingredients.
  • Orange Bitters2 dashes
    Enhances the citrus notes present in the amaro and Aperol, tying the drink together.

Ice type

  • Cubed ice

Mixing equipments

You will need standard bar tools for a stirred cocktail: a mixing glass, a jigger for measuring, a bar spoon for stirring, and a strainer to pour.
  • Mixing glass: For stirring the ingredients with ice.
  • Jigger or measuring tool: For accurate measurement of liquids.
  • Bar spoon: For stirring the cocktail to the correct temperature and dilution.
  • Strainer: To hold back the ice when pouring into the serving glass.

Instructions

Preparation is straightforward: combine all liquid ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, stir until chilled, and strain into a chilled coupe glass. Finish by expressing an orange peel over the drink for aroma.
1. Chill a coupe or cocktail glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer.
2. Combine the rye whiskey, Amaro CioCiaro, Aperol, and orange bitters in a mixing glass.
3. Fill the mixing glass two-thirds full with cubed ice.
4. Stir with a bar spoon for 20-25 seconds until well-chilled and properly diluted.
5. Empty the ice from your serving glass if used for chilling.
6. Strain the contents of the mixing glass into the chilled serving glass.
7. Take a fresh orange peel, express the oils over the surface of the drink by squeezing it pith-side down, and then use it as a garnish.

Garnishing

A simple orange peel is the perfect garnish, as its expressed oils add a bright, aromatic citrus note that enhances the cocktail's flavors.
  • Orange peel: Express the oils from a fresh orange peel over the drink and drop it in or place it on the rim.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is vegan and free from dairy, eggs, and nuts. However, as it contains rye whiskey, it is not suitable for those with celiac disease due to potential gluten content.
✓ 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 number of calories, primarily from the alcohol content. Its sugar content is relatively low for a cocktail, deriving from the liqueurs.
Calories
Averagely 190-220 kcal / 795-920 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 10-12 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 9-11 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is ideal for a sophisticated cocktail hour or as an elegant pre-dinner aperitif. Its complex, spirit-forward nature also makes it an excellent after-dinner sipper for quiet contemplation or conversation.
  • Cocktail Hour
  • Evening Sipper
  • Dinner Party
  • After-Dinner Drink

Pairing suggestions

The Petrucci pairs well with savory and salty foods that can stand up to its bold, bittersweet flavor. Consider serving it with a charcuterie board featuring cured meats, aged cheeses, and olives. For a dessert pairing, the bittersweet notes complement high-quality dark chocolate.
  • Charcuterie Board
  • Aged Cheeses
  • Salted Nuts
  • Dark Chocolate

The Petrucci: A Symphony of Bittersweet Flavors

The Petrucci is a spirit-forward cocktail that brilliantly showcases the synergy between spicy rye whiskey and bitter Italian liqueurs. It's an ideal choice for aficionados of classic stirred drinks like the Boulevardier or Manhattan who are looking to explore new flavor combinations. Created by Robert Hess as a tribute to musician John Petrucci, its complexity and balance make it a memorable and sophisticated sipper for any occasion.

Similar Cocktails

Boulevardier

Uses bourbon or rye, Campari, and sweet vermouth. It's the classic bitter whiskey template.

Old Pal

A drier riff on the Boulevardier, using rye whiskey, Campari, and dry vermouth instead of sweet.

Manhattan

The quintessential rye and vermouth cocktail. The Petrucci can be seen as a Manhattan variation with the vermouth replaced by two bitter liqueurs.

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