It’s no secret that amaro and liqueurs like Zucca have been consumed for their medicinal properties. Zucca’s featured ingredient rhubarb has been known to be used in medieval prescriptions and is the inspiration behind this cocktail’s name. In Macbeth (Act V. Scene III), Macbeth says to his doctor:

“If thou coudst, doctor, cast the water of my land, find her disease and purge it to a sound and pristine health, I would applaud thee to the very echo, that should applaud again. Pull’t off, I say. What rhubarb, cyme, or what purgative drug would scour these English hence?”

However, it’s the play between the mezcal and Zucca in this recipe that makes this an exceptional cocktail. The flavor profile of Zucca works well with the smoky notes of the mezcal.

Recipe

• 1 oz reposado tequila
• 1 oz of mezcal
• 1/2 oz of dry vermouth
• 1/2 oz of sweet vermouth
• 1/2 oz of Zucca
• Barspoon of absinthe
• 2 dashes of Post Prohibition Pick Me Up Bitters
• Garnish with an orange twist

Add all ingredients in a mixing glass except the garnish. Stir with ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange twist.