The tale of a young George Washington taking his hatchet to a cherry tree may be a myth, but it has inspired a very real cocktail at Waypoint in Harvard Square.

The Washington, which beverage director Seth Freidus describes as a “summery whiskey Negroni variant,” is made with Old Overholt rye, Dolin dry vermouth, and a cherry-infused Amaro Montenegro in equal proportions. It’s finished with a barspoon of Suze, a bitter liqueur made from gentian root.

Old Overholt was chosen for its sweetness, which merges with the fruit flavors of the cherry-infused Amaro Montenegro. Dry rather than sweet vermouth is used to balance the drink, and the scant amount of Suze reintroduces bitterness to the cocktail.

The final product is a whiskey drink that manages to be remarkably fruity while remaining a strong, boozy slow-sipper. Think of it as transitional weather in cocktail form.

Washington
1 ounce Old Overholt Straight Rye Whiskey
1 ounce Dry Dolin Vermouth
1 ounce cherry-infused Amaro Montenegro*
1 barspoon Suze
Lemon peel, to garnish

Combine ingredients in mixing glass with ice and stir until chilled. Strain into chilled lowball glass and garnish with a rough lemon peel.

*Cherry-Infused Amaro Montenegro
1 liter Amaro Montenegro
½ pound fresh cherries

Pit and stem cherries, then place in a large sealed glass container and freeze. Cover frozen cherries with Amaro Montenegro and allow mixture to infuse at room temperature for 5-7 days (infusion is complete when the flavors of cherry and Amaro Montenegro are both prevalent). Strain cherries out through a fine mesh strainer. Mixture will keep 1-2 months.

Brian Samuels