Barrel Cocktails · Lambics and Whiskey
The “Boerenerf” Modifier
An ultra-dry, savory twist on a Manhattan-style build that treats specialized grape or rhubarb lambics as a living, unfortified alternative to botanical dry vermouth.
Build
- 2 ozWillett Family Estate 4-Year Rye (113-proof)
- 0.75 ozWhite-grape or rhubarb lambic (Cantillon Vigneronne/Nath or an equivalent Boerenerf fruit blend)
- Garnish1 wide lemon twist
Glassware
Smooth, stemmed crystal coupe, ice-water chilled.
Method
- Stir Combine the Willett rye and the fruit lambic in a mixing glass with maximum ice. Stir smoothly for 25 seconds until the glass frosts over.
- Strain Strain neat into your snap-dried, ice-water chilled coupe and express the lemon twist.
The complex, rustic Brettanomyces character of the fruit lambic handles the 113-proof rye exactly like a top-tier French dry vermouth, locking arm-in-arm with the herbal pepper of the Willett.