Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon Chinese 5-spice blend (cloves, cinnamon, star anise, fennel, Sichuan peppercorns)
• 3 dashes bitters, such as Angostura
• 1 whole kumquat (or 2-inch orange rind)
• Ice
• 2 ounces spiced rum, such as Sailor Jerry or Captain Morgan Original Spiced
• Splash fernet

Instructions

1. Mix 1 cup water with the sugar and 5-spice blend. Heat until dissolved. Strain and let cool. In a lowball glass, pour 1 tablespoon 5-spice simple syrup and the bitters and muddle a kumquat into that action. Add ice, rum and a splash of fernet. Stir in the glass for 20 to 30 seconds, until well-chilled. Sip, then cheer the funk up.