Witch Hunt Cocktail

The Witch Hunt is a sophisticated modern cocktail that balances the warmth of bourbon with the complex, herbal sweetness of Strega. Fresh lemon juice provides a bright, sour counterpoint, while a small amount of Aperol adds a touch of bitter orange complexity and vibrant color. This drink is a perfect showcase for Strega, offering a unique flavor profile that is both intriguing and delicious for the adventurous palate.
Witch Hunt Cocktail

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Witch Hunt is categorized as a modern classic cocktail. It falls into the sour family due to its composition of a spirit, citrus, and sweeteners, offering a complex, herbal twist on the classic formula.

Serving

Served cold and "up" (without ice) in a chilled coupe glass, this is a spirit-forward yet balanced cocktail with a moderately high alcohol content.
Serving size
Approximately 120 ml / 4 oz (before dilution)
Alcohol content
Estimated 22-25% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

Created by bartender Stephen Cole at the acclaimed Violet Hour in Chicago, the Witch Hunt is a testament to the modern craft cocktail movement. It's named for its key ingredient, Strega, which means "witch" in Italian. The name playfully alludes to the liqueur's legendary origins and its mystical blend of around 70 different herbs and spices.
Origin
The Witch Hunt Cocktail was created in the late 2000s by Stephen Cole at The Violet Hour, a pioneering craft cocktail bar in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Witch Hunt Cocktail

The drink is consistently known by its original name, the Witch Hunt Cocktail, with no common alternative names of note.
Original name
Witch Hunt Cocktail

Characteristics overview

The Witch Hunt presents a complex herbal and citrus aroma, leading to a balanced flavor profile of sour lemon, sweet Strega, and bitter Aperol over a bourbon base. It has a smooth texture, a long, warming finish, and a beautiful golden-orange hue.
Flavor
Herbal, Citrusy, Sweet, Bitter, Complex, Whiskey
Aroma
Lemon zest, Herbal, Honey, Saffron, Mint, Oak
Taste balance
Sour, Sweet, Bitter
Aftertaste
Long, Warming, Herbal, Slightly bitter
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Golden-orange, Clear
Texture
Smooth, Silky
Seasonality
Refreshing, Warming, Autumnal

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is moderately intense, led by a pronounced sourness from lemon and herbal sweetness from Strega, with gentle bitterness and noticeable alcohol warmth.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires bourbon as its base, the essential herbal Strega liqueur, fresh lemon juice for sourness, and a small measure of Aperol for bitterness and color.
  • Bourbon Whiskey60 ml / 2 oz
    A mid-proof, quality bourbon works well to stand up to the other flavors.
  • Strega Liqueur22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    An Italian herbal liqueur with notes of saffron, mint, and fennel; it is essential for this recipe.
  • Fresh Lemon Juice22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Must be freshly squeezed for best results.
  • Aperol7.5 ml / 0.25 oz
    Adds a touch of bitter orange and enhances the color.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a standard cocktail shaker set, including a jigger for measuring and strainers to achieve a smooth, ice-free texture.
  • Cocktail shaker for chilling and dilution.
  • Jigger for accurate measurement of ingredients.
  • Hawthorne and fine-mesh strainers for a clean pour.

Instructions

The process involves chilling a coupe glass, shaking all ingredients with ice until very cold, and double-straining into the glass before garnishing with a lemon twist.
1. Chill a coupe glass in the freezer or by filling it with ice water.
2. Add bourbon, Strega, fresh lemon juice, and Aperol to a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with cubed ice.
4. Shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds until the shaker is frosty cold.
5. Double-strain the mixture through a Hawthorne and fine-mesh strainer into the chilled coupe glass.
6. Express the oils from a lemon twist over the drink's surface and drop it in as a garnish.

Garnishing

A simple lemon twist is the perfect garnish, adding aromatic citrus oils that complement the drink's flavors.
  • Lemon twist, expressed over the drink to release its oils.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is alcoholic and generally free from common allergens like caffeine, dairy, eggs, soy, and nuts, making it suitable for vegan and vegetarian diets. It is also typically gluten-free as it is made from distilled spirits.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

A single serving contains roughly 200 calories, primarily from the alcohol and liqueurs. The carbohydrate and sugar content are moderate, coming from the Strega and Aperol.
Calories
Approximately 190-210 kcal / 795-880 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 10-12 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 9-11 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is well-suited for a sophisticated cocktail hour or as an aperitif before dinner. Its warming and herbal notes make it particularly enjoyable during autumn evenings or at any gathering where unique flavors are appreciated.
  • Cocktail Hour
  • Autumn Evening
  • Pre-dinner Drink
  • Sophisticated Gathering

Pairing suggestions

The cocktail's herbal and sour notes pair well with savory and fatty foods. Consider serving it alongside a charcuterie board with cured meats, aged cheeses like Pecorino, or spiced roasted nuts to complement its complexity.
  • Charcuterie board
  • Aged cheeses
  • Roasted nuts
  • Savory pastries

The Witch Hunt Cocktail: A Modern Alchemical Elixir

The Witch Hunt is a captivating modern sour that brilliantly showcases the unique Italian liqueur, Strega. Created at Chicago's Violet Hour, it balances bourbon's depth with Strega's herbal sweetness, Aperol's gentle bitterness, and the bright acidity of lemon. The result is a complex, delicious, and beautifully hued cocktail. It is perfect for those looking to explore flavors beyond the ordinary and appreciate the art of a well-balanced, contemporary drink.

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A related modern sour with rye whiskey, Green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice instead of lemon.

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Another modern sour with bourbon and Aperol, but uses Amaro Nonino and lemon juice, sharing a similar structure.

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