It’s not the size of the drink, it’s the size of the bite in the drink, and this drink bites like a diamondback. It’s bottled-in-bond rye whiskey wearing a bowtie and pocket square, but it is clearly bottled-in-bond rye. It’s a perfect drink to serve in a Nick and Nora glass, at just 2-3 ounces even after dilution from its chilling.

However, the name of the cocktail has nothing to do with snakes. It was the signature cocktail of the Diamondback Lounge – now long gone – in the Lord Baltimore Hotel in (where else?) Baltimore, MD. The hotel opened in 1928 and is still there; only the lounge is gone. I love Baltimore, because a coupla guys I love live there. Also, it’s a great town.

DIAMONDBACK

1 oz Rye whiskey (bottled-in-bond – i.e., 100 proof/50% abv)

½ oz Calvados

½ oz Yellow Chartreuse (or Genepy le Chamois)

Stir ingredients with ice, strain into a Nick and Nora glass, garnish with Luxardo Maraschino cherry.