Over the years I’ve built a small global library of distilled spirits and fortified wines, and the World Cup Knockout Round feels like the perfect excuse to dig back into it - researching the producers, revisiting the bottles, and tasting my way through the bracket. Starting with the June 29th matches, I’ll be recommending one or two spirits for each game, whether they’re already on my shelf or simply deserve a place in the lineup. Click here to view the other World Cup Knockout Round matches. Today's matches for July 7th:
Argentina vs Egypt | Switzerland vs Columbia
I decided to turn to Co-Pilot to generate a cocktail recipe using these same spirits along with an absinthe to include a Switzerland theme. I'm using Absente Absinthe that I will feature more clearly during France's next match. The result was The Green Llama - a bold, herbal, spicy amaro‑driven cocktail featuring Fernet‑Branca, Chacho Jalapeño Aguardiente, Scrappy’s Orange Bitters, and a precise dash of Absente Absinthe.
I’ve reached the end of my bar inventory and don’t have a spirit from the countries playing today. For Argentina’s previous match, I made their national drink -- Fernet con Coca -- using Fernet-Branca and Mexican Coke. For Colombia, I poured Chacho Jalapeño Aguardiente, an American‑made aguardiente inspired by the founder’s time in the country.
To bridge today’s matchup, I turned to Copilot to generate a cocktail using those same spirits, then added absinthe for a Switzerland touch. I used Absente Absinthe -- a Provence made spirit which I’ll feature more prominently during France’s next game.
The result is The Green Llama, a bold, herbal, spicy amaro‑driven cocktail built from Fernet‑Branca, Chacho Jalapeño Aguardiente, Scrappy’s Orange Bitters, and a precise dash of Absente Absinthe.
Recipe
- 1 oz Fernet‑Branca
- 1 oz Chacho Jalapeño Aguardiente
- 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
- 0.5 oz simple syrup
- 1 dash Scrappy’s Orange Bitters
- 1 barspoon Absente Absinthe
Instructions
- Stir with ice until chilled.
- Strain over a large cube.
- Express an orange peel over the top.
The flavor notes provided suggest herbal intensity, jalapeño brightness, citrus lift, and a clean Absente‑driven anise snap at the finish. There is definitely herbal intensity, the jalapeño brightness is a stretch, and the citrus lift is abating. Nice try but I will most likely have to visit an ABC store for the two teams who advance to the next round.
