Everyone sing along: “Rock of ages, bled for me … ” Blood orange juice and sage in the house? Strike while the ice is cold!

A note on technique first, prompted by how much crushed cherry and sage will be floating around in the shaker after you shake this mixture well with ice. You’ll see me use the phrase “fine-strain” in many of the recipes I post; that means to use a fine-mesh strainer—one about 3” in diameter is best—to remove the fruit and herb bits in addition to straining the drink away from the shaker ice with the shaker lid or a Hawthorne strainer. You’ll need both hands or an assistant for this step.

As for the Cognac, yes—I mean actual Cognac, not California brandy, but on the younger side. 

BLOODY ROCK OF SAGES
3 Whole Luxardo Maraschino cherries
4 Fresh sage leaves
1½ oz Cognac VS or VSOP
½ oz Cocchi Vermouth di Torino
1 oz Freshly squeezed blood orange juice
1 barspoon Luxardo Maraschino syrup (from the cherry jar)…okay, maybe two. Or so. 

Muddle the three cherries in the base of a shaker, add the sage leaves and bruise them lightly with the muddler. Add other the other ingredients, shake enthusiastically with ice until the cold makes your hands hurt, and fine-strain from the shaker into an ice-filled glass—preferably one large rock of clear ice. Garnish the drink with additional Luxardo Maraschino cherries and sage leaves.