High Proof Boost — The 43 Up
Chocolate, coffee, and whiskey. Most people like at least two of these things. The 43 Up puts all of these flavors together. This original creation is adapted from Bittered Sling’s repost of the 5:00 P.M. Wake Up Call by Cheers to Happy Hour.
The 43 Up
2 ounces whiskey (see below)
1 ounce Licor 43
2 dashes chocolate bitters (hello Bittered Sling)
2 dashes coffee bitters (hello again Bittered Sling)
Combine in a mixing glass or shaker with ice, stir with a jolt of excitement, and strain into a chilled glass. Lightly burned star anise float optional.
Licor 43 is a Spanish liqueur whose slight sweetness belies its strength. Its color is reminiscent of other liqueurs such as yellow Chartreuse (used in the Naked and Famous) and Benedictine DOM (used in the Good Cork). The name derives from the minimum number of ingredients in it. To me Licor 43 has a distinct vanilla flavor, so it complements the chocolate and coffee bitters quite nicely. I’m a big fan of the Malagasy Chocolate and Arabica Coffee bitters from Bittered Sling. Other companies make good chocolate and coffee bitters, but they’re not as exquisite and on point as the ones from Bittered Sling.
The whiskey is where things get fun and interesting with the 43 Up. I experimented using three different types of whiskey — bourbon, rye, and wheat. Not surprisingly, the bourbon and wheat based versions of the 43 Up are a little sweeter than the rye based version. All of them work well, so which whiskey you use is a matter of your personal preference … and whatever is in your liquor cabinet.
If you want to feel better, here’s a two step solution:
- Get up.
- Make yourself a 43 Up.
Your mood only will go one way …. do I really need to say it?