Cutter
Shake ∙ 3 min ∙ 19.1% ABV ∙
The Cutter is a shaken bourbon sour built with a red bitter and an amaro alongside lemon and sugar, served up in a coupe. Bittersweet and bright, bourbon's warmth gives way to layers of orange-tinged and herbal bitterness before lemon snaps the finish clean.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Shake all ingredients with ice: Bourbon 40 mlRed bitter 20 mlAmaro 15 mlLemon juice 20 mlSugar syrup 10 mlAngostura aromatic bitters 1 dash
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
- Express a lemon twist over the cocktail and use as garnish
Tips
- Shake hard for a full 12-15 seconds with ice to properly dilute and chill this bourbon-bitters mix, since the Campari and Amaro can taste harsh if under-shaken.
- Fine-strain into the chilled coupe to remove ice shards, since the lemon juice and syrup mixture aerates and can carry small chips through a standard strainer.
- Express the lemon twist's oils directly over the drink's surface before dropping it in, brightening the aromatic bitters and amaro on the nose.
- Measure the lemon juice and sugar syrup precisely, since the drink relies on that balance to offset the bitterness of the Campari and CioCiaro.
FAQ
What is in a Cutter cocktail?
Bourbon, a red bitter such as Campari, an amaro such as CioCiaro, fresh lemon juice, and sugar syrup, shaken and finished with an optional dash of Angostura bitters. It is strained up into a coupe and garnished with a lemon twist.
Is a Cutter shaken or stirred?
Shaken. The lemon juice and syrup need the aeration and fast chill of a shake to blend properly with the bourbon and bitters; stirring would leave it flat and under-diluted.
What glass is a Cutter served in?
A coupe glass, served up with a lemon twist. Fine-straining keeps the drink clear and free of ice or citrus pulp.
How is a Cutter different from a Boulevardier?
A Boulevardier is stirred and built from bourbon, a red bitter, and sweet vermouth with no citrus, giving a smooth, spirit-forward sip. The Cutter adds lemon juice, sugar syrup, and an amaro, and is shaken, which makes it lighter, tarter, and more citrus-forward.
Is a Cutter vegan?
Yes. Every ingredient in this build is vegan, vegetarian, and lactose-free, and the drink runs at roughly 216 calories and about 19% ABV per serving.
