La Bodega

Most cocktails compete with a good cheese board, but La Bodega was built to complement one. The nutty richness of Amontillado sherry mirrors aged manchego and gruyère, while Cocchi Americano's quinine bite cuts right through the fat of salami and prosciutto. This stirred aperitif leans into the savory side of the cocktail spectrum. The sherry brings toasted almonds and dried figs, the Cocchi adds a grapefruit peel brightness, and a half-ounce of funky Jamaican rum ties everything together with an almost umami quality. Those orange bitters round out the citrus notes without making things sweet. It's dry, complex, and just bitter enough to keep your palate interested between bites. Mix this when you're putting together a proper spread for friends. La Bodega works best before dinner, when you want something sophisticated that won't dull your appetite. Give it a try next time you're laying out the good stuff.