The Psychiatrist's Hour

Frasier Crane wouldn't be caught dead with a vodka Red Bull. The radio psychiatrist's drink of choice would need the gravitas of fine spirits, the complexity worthy of extended analysis, and enough sophistication to impress his equally pretentious brother Niles. Enter The Psychiatrist's Hour, a cognac-based martini variation that's exactly the kind of drink you'd find at their beloved wine club. The cognac brings warming depth and fruit-forward richness, while fino sherry adds a dry, almost saline quality that keeps things from getting too cozy. Drambuie weaves in honeyed sweetness and herbal whispers without tipping into cloying territory. Orange bitters tie it all together with a citrusy lift. The result is contemplative and layered, the kind of drink that reveals something new with each sip. This is your nightcap after a long day, best enjoyed in a leather armchair with some light jazz playing in the background. Mix one up next time you need to feel a little more refined than you actually are.