Rocky River Cocktail

There's a lot of rivers out there with this common name. I like to think it has something to do with Rocky River, the little town on the west side of Cleveland with its beautiful shale river gorge.

I'm representing another river, the North Fork in Montana. The Glacier distillery makes North Fork rye, really one of the best ryes I've ever tasted, hands down. Virginia makes plenty of tasty ryes, and there are better ones on the market from Kentucky, but North Fork gives them good competition for the best.

Rocky river is quite a classic pairing of spirits with lemon and apricot brandy. The proportions make for a sweet sour, not a tart drink at all. It tastes like summer sunshine.

• 1 rye (North Fork used)
• 1 oz. apricot brandy
• 1 tsp. lemon juice
• sugar syrup to taste (none used)
• maraschino cherry

Combine liquid ingredients (and sugar to taste) in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with the maraschino cherry.