Another Paul McGee classic (though I don’t know when he’s mixed one up lately), the Golden Eel is my new go-to aperitif. If you like Negronis and are ready to branch out, this is the drink for you. The smooth-and-prickly collision of flavors will activate your taste buds in time for dinner without weighing you down.

GOLDEN EEL

• 1.5 oz. Letherbee original label gin
• .75 oz. Carpano Antica
• .5 oz. Letherbee BËSK

Combine in an old fashioned glass with a giant ice cube. Stir. Garnish with a large orange peel.

You can absolutely use another gin (such as Beefeater, McGee’s original spirit of choice for this cocktail), and you can definitely use genuine Jeppson’s Malört (I happen to prefer Letherbee’s take on the bitter wormwood spirit). But the orange peel is by all means essential, tempering the drink’s astringent qualities ever so slightly.

It’s simply a beautiful cocktail.