From the extreme weather events to the daily onslaught of flabbergasting news to the jaw-dropping special effects in blockbuster movies, 2017 was nothing if not a year of ferocious intensity. It’s understandable, then, if you crave a little calm these days. Saunter into 2018 at a slow, leisurely trot with a mellow cocktail that won’t shock the system. The AcceleRaeter from Little Donkey, Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette’s globally-inspired tapas spot in Central Square, sets the tone: instead of doubling down on the booze like so many perennial favorites (see: Manhattans, martinis, old fashioned, Sazerac), it employs two different low-octane sherries — a rich, nutty Amontillado and a sweeter Pedro Ximénez — to at once soften the thunderbolt of smoky mezcal and tease out earthiness of the tequila. We can only hope for world events in 2018 that are just as low-impact.

AcceleRaeter

Makes 1 drink

½ ounce mezcal

½ ounce silver tequila

½ ounce Amontillado sherry

½ ounce Pedro Ximénez sherry

½ ounce maple syrup

½ ounce fresh lemon juice

1 dash Angostura bitters

Pinch of salt

1. Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass over ice, including the pinch of salt. Shake vigorously 15 to 20 seconds.

2. Strain into a coupe glass.

Adapted from Little Donkey

Liza Weisstuch can be reached at liza.weisstuch@gmail.com. Follow her on Twitter @livingtheproof.