A bottle of FreeWildShe Cherry Sarsaparilla Bitters sits next to a Black Thicket cocktail. Another cocktail sits on a wooden box in the background. There are deep purple dried flowers and a green bottle in the background.

Black Thicket: A whiskey Cocktail with Cherry Sarsaparilla Bitters

At the end of the day, when things finally quiet down and the light starts to dim, you’re not in a rush to be anywhere. You want something to sip on. Something grounded, a little warming, and easy to settle into without being complicated to make.

That’s where Black Thicket lands. A whiskey cocktail with Cherry Sarsaparilla Bitters. It's simple to put together, with just enough depth to keep you coming back for another sip.

WHY CHERRY SARSAPARILLA BITTERS WORK SO WELL WITH WHISKEY

Whiskey already brings warmth and structure but a few dashes of bitters pull the flavors into focus, adding a quiet depth that rounds everything out.

Cherry Sarsaparilla adds a subtle layer that’s hard to pin down at first. Dark cherry and a hint of orange peel lift the profile, while sarsaparilla brings an earthy quality that complements the aged spirit. A touch of baking spice lingers on the palate, adding warmth and tying everything together.

The rest of the drink follows in the same direction. Nocino adds a complex bittersweet note, while amontillado sherry brings a dry, nutty edge. With the whiskey, sherry, and nocino all carrying their own time-aged character, everything starts to stack in a way that feels complete.

BLACK THICKET

A whiskey cocktail with cherry sarsaparilla bitters

2 oz rye whiskey

½ oz nocino

½ oz amontillado sherry

2 droppers Cherry Sarsaparilla Bitters

Orange peel, to garnish

Stir all ingredients over ice. Strain into a chilled Nick & Nora glass. Express orange peel over top and garnish.

MAKE IT YOUR OWN

This is one of those drinks that’s easy to adjust based on what you have or what you’re in the mood for.

You can add a little more nocino if you want more richness, or swap it for an amaro you enjoy. The sherry can shift too. Try a different style, or replace it with vermouth—sweet, blanc, or dry all bring something different to the glass.

You can even change the base spirit. Whiskey is a natural fit here, but rum works just as well if that’s what you prefer.

There’s no need to overthink it. One small change can take this in a completely different direction, and that’s part of the fun.

A Black Thicket cocktail by FreeWildShe sits in the center. It has a curled orange peel garnish. A wooden box and dried purple flowers are in the background.

Back to blog