Cooking Lesson #1104: Itty Bitty Pretty

…from the Perspectives’ Happy Hour Bar

credit: diffordsguide.com

How you doin’? If nothing else the name of this cocktail should be enough to try it. This light and approachable vodka cocktail by Pete Vasconcellos, beverage director of Albert’s Bar, was originally created for sister bar, The Penrose, when it opened eight years ago. But the refreshing Itty Bitty Pretty, with its intriguing layers of flavor, became so popular that it was brought back several times, including for the opening menu at Albert’s Bar.
 
The secret is using Americano Bianco. After a liquor rep dropped off a bottle of Americano Bianco one of the bartenders started experimenting with the Italian aperitif that’s made from a base of Muscato with herbs, spices, and citrus. The mixologist added a half ounce and some basil to the classic Prohibition-era Bee’s Knees cocktail (gin, lemon, and honey syrup). A fellow bartender asked for vodka instead, it was perfect. As he poured the concoction into small cordial glasses for some patrons to sample, one woman remarked on the tiny size of the drinks, and the “Itty Bitty” was born.
 
Prep time:  5 minutes
Yield:  1 cocktail
 
Ingredients 
1-1⁄2 ounces Ketel One Vodka
1⁄2 ounce Americano Bianco chilled
1⁄2 ounce honey syrup (3 parts honey to 1 water by weight)
3⁄4 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 dashes Angostura Orange Bitters
1 clean fresh basil leaf (garnish)
 
Directions

1. Pre-chill a coupe glass.
2. Shake all ingredients with ice.
3. Strain into chilled glass.
4. Garnish with basil leaf rested across the rim.

------------------------------------------
ChefSecret:  Cocchi Americano Bianco is a quinine-flavored aperitif wine from  Italy's Piedmont region, known for its refreshing profile that includes botanicals like gentian and citrus. It has been produced since 1891 and is often enjoyed chilled with ice and a splash of soda.
------------------------------------------
Quip of the Day:  I went on the vodka diet recently.  I lost three days in one week.
-------------------------------------------
Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to [email protected]. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/perspectives-on-food.
-------------------------------------------
To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to  Feeding America, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission and/or American Red Cross.

#Cocktail #IttyBittyPretty #Vodka #AmericanoBianco #AngosturaOrangeBitters #LemonJuice #HappyHour2025 #Cheers #Recipes2025 #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup  
                                                                                ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2025

---