One of the top Italian eateries in the northeast with locations in New York City and at Atlantic City’s popular Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Il Mulino has made a name for fans of the cuisine thanks to an incredible attention to detail and raft of high quality ingredients, all utilized with equally elevated and homestyle recipes.
But aside from the cibo (the Italian word for food), the same passion goes into a unique menu of drinks. They take centerstage at the establishment’s location at the aforementioned Hard Rock, the casino known for an array of music memorabilia peppered around every corner of the property, from handwritten lyrics courtesy Britney Spears, dresses worn by Beyonce and a piano that once belonged to Frank Sinatra.
Here at Il Mulino, the cocktails can also rightfully be considered stars themselves all thanks to Sara Given. A veteran who first slung drinks at The Palm Atlantic City, she’s been head bartender here at Il Mulino for the past decade and is the architect of its popular cocktail menu. When it comes to constructing drinks for an Italian restaurant, one quality Given looked for were “ingredients found in Italian cuisine; flavors that could add a nuanced twist to classics.”
That includes the bar’s unique Italian Old Fashioned. An updated twist on the classic drink, it includes Frangelico Hazelnut liqueur as well as black walnut bitters. “We chose Mr. Katz Rock n Rye for its playful blending of rye whiskey, along with organic rock candy sugar, dried Bing cherries from Michigan, organic orange peel from California and a wisp of cinnamon bark,” says Given. “The whiskey, like Il Mulino, was created in New York and is a stand-out product in a crowded space. “
Below, make your own Italian Old Fashioned like the one found at Il Mulino.
Italian Old Fashioned
Ingredients:
- 1 oz Frangelico Hazelnut liqueur
- 2 oz of Mr. Katz Rock n Rye
- 1 oz Luxardo Maraschino Cherry
- Dash of Peychaud’s Bittersdash of Black Walnut Bitters
Preparation: Build ingredients in an Old Fashioned glass with large ice cubes, pour. Finish with juice and stir. Garnish with orange peel and Luxardo Maraschino Cherries.
