The Vendetta Cocktail

Created at New York's Four Seasons restaurant, with special help from Charles Corbin and Nicholas Drakides, The Vendetta is a drink that doesn't play around. Combining the summery flavor of basil with the deeper richness of brandy, the end result is a cocktail that hearkens the Italian coastline at sunset — a complex drink that offers simple satisfaction. The use of Pernod lends an herbaceous taste that is unusual in most cocktails, yet works without effort in tune with the other ingredients. As for the name, have one too many of these, and the next morning the reason will become quite obvious.