I love boozy, New Orleans style cocktails that highlight every ingredient. I also wanted to marry my five all-time faves – the Old Fashioned, Difford's Manhattan (petite serve), the Preakness Manhattan, a La Louisiane and a Vieux Carre.

Basically everything is pictured, but here goes nothing.

· 60 ml Rittenhouse rye whiskey

· 20 ml Cocchi rosso vermouth di Torino

· 5 ml (or two barspoons) rich cane syrup

· 5 drops Élixir Végétal de la Grande-Chartreuse

· 2 dashes Angostura aromatic bitters

· 1 dash Peychaud's creole bitters

Build in glass; stir with ice to chill and dilute; spritz wash line with absinthe. Garnish with Maraschino cherry.

Very warming and herbal, surprisingly accessible.

Tis the season!