The Beatnik Cocktail

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 05/13/21
The Beatnik Cocktail With Averna

The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

The popular Italian bitter known as Averna is an excellent cocktail mixer. It shines in sophisticated drinks and the beatnik is one of the best Averna cocktail recipes you'll find.

This complex cocktail was created by mixologist Duggan McDonnell for Averna. It requires just three ingredients, though each brings its own fascinating array of flavors to the mix. The tawny port wine offers a slight sweetness, the bourbon brings in a warming oak, and Averna gives it an herbal and bittersweet undertone.

Since both Averna and port are digestifs, the beatnik is an ideal after-dinner drink. You'll find it to be an amazing follow-up to a steak dinner and a fabulous way to end any meal with family and friends.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 ounce tawny port

  • 1 ounce bourbon whiskey

  • 1 1/2 ounces Averna amaro liqueur

  • Burnt orange peel, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Rinse a cocktail glass with the port by pouring it into the glass and swirling it around to coat the inside.

  3. Pour the remaining port into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Add the bourbon and Averna.

  4. Stir 30 times.

  5. Strain into a cocktail glass.

  6. Garnish with a flamed orange peel. To do so, hold the peel between your thumb and forefinger, squeeze gently while expressing the peel's oils over a lit match so little sparks fall into your glass. Drop the peel into the drink. Serve and enjoy.

Tips

  • To create the best beatnik, choose a premium bourbon. It deserves the best whiskey you have in stock, so be sure to pour the good stuff in this cocktail!
  • Complement the bourbon with a port of equal quality. The majority of ports are relatively inexpensive, so even a high-end port will not break the bank. If you prefer, a ruby port is a good substitute.
  • You'll notice that the recipe is very specific about how much stirring is required. While you don't have to be so precise, it's a good recommendation to follow. The 30 rounds of stirring—a round is one revolution around the glass—mixes the ingredients perfectly and gives it the ideal amount of dilution from the ice. You can use this same approach for nearly any alcohol-only cocktail, including the martini or Manhattan.
  • Generally, you do not have to be as cautious with the burnt orange peel as you would with other flamed cocktails. This is a relatively safe cocktail because the citrus oils will not actually catch on fire, but create small sparks instead. That said, do be careful near highly concentrated alcohol, paper, or anything that is flammable. Better safe than sorry!

Recipe Variation

  • Since Averna is a proprietary recipe, it's difficult to find a viable substitute for it. However, you can use this recipe to explore other brands of amaro—Italian bitters—such as Amaro Ciociaro or Amaro Montenegro.

How Strong Is a Beatnik Cocktail?

As you might expect, any cocktail that's only made of alcoholic ingredients is not going to be a weak drink. The beatnik certainly proves this point, weighing in with an average alcohol content of 27 percent ABV (54 proof). It's like drinking a Manhattan and a few rounds will add up, possibly leading to a wicked hangover.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
253 Calories
0g Fat
27g Carbs
0g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 253
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 95mg 4%
Total Carbohydrate 27g 10%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 20g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 8mg 41%
Calcium 11mg 1%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 42mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)