Spaghetti Western
The Spaghetti Western is a sophisticated, spirit-forward cocktail that balances the spicy notes of rye whiskey with the complex, bittersweet flavors of Italian liqueurs. Amaro Montenegro provides a gentle sweetness with hints of orange and vanilla, while Cynar contributes a vegetal, slightly bitter artichoke-based profile. The result is a smooth, herbaceous, and deeply flavorful drink, perfect for those who appreciate a twist on classic whiskey cocktails like the Manhattan or Brooklyn.
Preparation
Preparation time: 3 minutes
Preparation time
Difficulty
Drink Classification
The Spaghetti Western is a modern classic cocktail, categorized as a spirit-forward, stirred drink. It is often considered a digestif due to its bittersweet amaro components, but it is also enjoyed as an evening sipper.
Serving
Serve this spirit-forward cocktail cold in a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass. Its alcohol content is moderately high, making it a perfect sipper.
Serving size
Approximately 100 ml / 3.5 oz (before dilution)
Alcohol content
Approximately 28-32% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled
Backstory
This modern classic cocktail was created by bartender Kane Giblin at the London tiki bar Trailer Happiness. The name "Spaghetti Western" is a clever reference to its ingredients: American whiskey (representing the "Western" genre) and two Italian amari (representing the Italian filmmakers of "Spaghetti Westerns"). It's a perfect fusion of American and Italian cocktail culture.
Origin
Created by Kane Giblin at Trailer Happiness in London, United Kingdom, in the 2000s.
Spaghetti Western
The drink is primarily known as the Spaghetti Western, a nod to the genre of Italian-made Western films. It's occasionally referred to more formally as the Spaghetti Western Cocktail, but the simpler name is the standard convention.
Original name
Spaghetti Western
Alternative name
Spaghetti Western Cocktail
Characteristics overview
This drink presents a complex, bittersweet flavor profile with a silky texture and a deep amber color. Its aroma is a fragrant mix of citrus and herbs, leading to a long, warming finish.
Flavor
Bittersweet, herbal, spicy, complex, orange peel, vegetal
Aroma
Aromatic, citrus, herbal, whiskey spice
Taste balance
Bitter, sweet, boozy
Aftertaste
Long, warming, complex, herbal bitterness
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Deep amber, reddish-brown, clear
Texture
Silky, smooth, viscous
Seasonality
Warming, year-round, autumnal
Flavor intensity & Experience
The flavor profile is dominated by a pleasant bitterness and spirit-forward strength, balanced by subtle sweetness and spice. It is a still, non-creamy, and complex sipper.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation
Ingredients
This cocktail requires three key liquid ingredients: a spicy rye whiskey and two distinct Italian amari, Montenegro and Cynar. No other mixers or syrups are needed.
- Rye Whiskey45 ml / 1.5 ozA high-rye whiskey (95-100 proof) works best. While derived from gluten-containing grains, the distillation process is widely believed to remove gluten proteins, making it safe for most with celiac disease.
- Amaro Montenegro22.5 ml / 0.75 ozA bittersweet Italian liqueur known for its notes of orange peel and vanilla.
- Cynar22.5 ml / 0.75 ozAn artichoke-based amaro that provides a unique vegetal bitterness.
Ice type
- Cubed
Mixing equipments
You will need standard bar tools for a stirred cocktail: a mixing glass, a bar spoon for stirring, a jigger for measuring, and a strainer.
- Mixing glass: for combining and stirring the ingredients with ice.
- Bar spoon: for stirring the cocktail to the correct dilution and temperature.
- Jigger or measuring tool: for accurately measuring the ingredients.
- Strainer (Julep or Hawthorne): for straining the chilled liquid from the ice into the serving glass.
Instructions
Preparation involves stirring the three spirits with ice in a mixing glass, then straining into a pre-chilled coupe. The final, essential step is garnishing with an expressed lemon peel.
1. Chill your coupe or Nick & Nora glass by filling it with ice and water or placing it in the freezer.
2. Combine the rye whiskey, Amaro Montenegro, and Cynar in a mixing glass.
3. Fill the mixing glass two-thirds full with cubed ice.
4. Stir continuously with a bar spoon for about 20-30 seconds until the outside of the glass is well-chilled and frosted.
5. Empty the ice from your serving glass.
6. Strain the contents of the mixing glass into the chilled serving glass.
7. Take a fresh lemon peel, hold it over the drink, and squeeze it to express the oils onto the surface.
8. Garnish by dropping the lemon twist into the drink or placing it on the rim. Serve immediately.
Garnishing
The drink is garnished simply with a lemon twist. Expressing the oils from the peel over the drink's surface is crucial for adding aromatic citrus notes.
- Lemon twist: Express the oils from a lemon peel over the surface of the drink and drop it in or place it on the rim.
Dietary Information
This drink is vegan, dairy-free, egg-free, and nut-free. It is not considered gluten-free due to the rye whiskey base, though the distillation process removes most gluten proteins.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✕ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly
Nutrition information
This is a moderately caloric cocktail due to the spirits and liqueurs, containing around 230 calories and 13 grams of sugar per serving.
Calories
Averagely 220-250 kcal / 920-1046 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 12-15 grams
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 11-14 grams
Sugar level
Occasions
This cocktail is ideal for sophisticated evening sipping, particularly as a digestif after a meal. It's also an excellent choice for a cocktail party or any gathering where complex, spirit-forward drinks are appreciated.
- After-dinner drink
- Evening sipping
- Cocktail party
- Sophisticated gathering
Pairing suggestions
The bittersweet and herbal notes of the Spaghetti Western pair beautifully with savory and rich foods. It's an excellent companion to a charcuterie board with cured meats and aged cheeses, or as a digestif with a piece of dark chocolate.
- Cured meats and charcuterie boards
- Hard, aged cheeses like Parmesan or Pecorino
- Dark chocolate
- Olives and other salty snacks
Spaghetti Western: A Modern Tale of Rye and Amari
The Spaghetti Western is a masterful modern cocktail that showcases the harmony between American whiskey and Italian amari. Its name cleverly reflects its international composition, blending spicy rye with the complex, bittersweet flavors of Amaro Montenegro and Cynar. This stirred, spirit-forward drink is both sophisticated and approachable, offering a journey of flavor from sweet and citrusy to herbal and bitter. Served chilled in a coupe with a bright lemon twist, it's the perfect sipper for an evening of contemplation or conversation.
Similar Cocktails
Black Manhattan
Typically uses Averna instead of Montenegro and Cynar, creating a richer, darker flavor profile.
Brooklyn
A classic cocktail that uses dry vermouth, Maraschino liqueur, and Picon or another amaro instead of Montenegro and Cynar.
Little Italy
Created by Audrey Saunders, it combines rye whiskey with sweet vermouth and Cynar.
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