The Opening Act
The Opening Act: A Modern Bourbon Classic
The Opening Act cocktail was created by renowned bartender Sam Ross, best known for creating the Penicillin and Paper Plane cocktails. Ross developed the drink during his time working at influential New York cocktail bars in the 2000s, according to Punch.
The cocktail combines bourbon with Aperol, the Italian bitter aperitif, and fresh grapefruit juice. This pairing creates a bittersweet profile that balances bourbon's richness with Aperol's orange bitterness and grapefruit's tartness, as noted in Difford's Guide.
The Opening Act represents the modern craft cocktail approach of incorporating European aperitifs into American whiskey drinks. The name suggests the drink serves as an ideal way to begin an evening, functioning as a lighter, more refreshing bourbon cocktail suited for pre-dinner drinking. The drink gained popularity in craft cocktail bars during the 2010s.
RECIPE:
1.5 oz bourbon
1 oz Aperol
3/4 oz fresh grapefruit juice
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
Grapefruit twist for garnish
Method:
Add bourbon, Aperol, grapefruit juice, and lemon juice to a shaker with ice.
Shake vigorously until well-chilled.
Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
Express grapefruit twist over the drink and garnish.