The Palo Negro, from Ivy Mix at Leyenda, is a masterclass in balance and proportion. Careful measurement is a must – but the payoff for your patience is a rich, harmonious choir of deep flavors and scents.
Mix calls for Lustau’s Palo Cortado sherry, a medium-bodied type that you could substitute with a dryer Amontillado or a sweeter Oloroso. Just stay away from bone-dry Finos or syrupy-sweet Pedro Ximenezes or cream sherries.
For the dark rum, Mix calls for a blackstrap rum, specifically Cruzan’s. It’s a spicy, rich rum that provides much of the flavor and backbone of the drink, so be judicious if making a substitution. Regular dark rum won’t cut it here – you need something with a little extra bite to it.
