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Add this simple, classic co*cktail to your repertoire
ByChristopher Osburn
Adonis is a term that is often used to describe a handsome, likely vain man. It’s also the name of a classic co*cktail seemingly lost in time. During the co*cktail renaissance of the early 2000s, many co*cktails made triumphant returns to prominence decades and sometimes a century (or more) after they were first created. But for every Boulevardier, French 75, and Manhattan, there are a handful of lesser-known, underrated classic drinks. The Adonis falls into the latter category.
What is the Adonis co*cktail?
Instead of relying on a main ingredient like whiskey, vodka, rum, or gin, the Adonis is a lower-proof co*cktail made with only two ingredients: sweet vermouth and fino sherry. It’s sweet, flavorful, and extremely simple to make. The drink was first created back in 1884 at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. It was named in honor of the Broadway musical Adonis, which was celebrating its 500th show.
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What does the Adonis co*cktail taste like?
Even though it’s only made with two ingredients, they work together in perfect unison. The vermouth is sweet and has notes of fruit, vanilla, and spices. The fino sherry is dry, light, and very delicate, with notes of citrus, grapes, and other fruits. The result is a balance of sweet vermouth and dry fortified wine. What’s not to love?
Why sweet vermouth and sherry?
If you enjoy classic co*cktails like the Manhattan and Negroni, you likely already have sweet vermouth on your home bar cart or in your liqueur cabinet. All you need to complete this surprisingly simple co*cktail is sherry. And while we enjoy the dry, delicate flavor of fino sherry, there are also sweeter, richer sherries on the market that you can use instead.
What you need to make the Adonis co*cktail
- 1.5 ounces of sweet vermouth
- 1.5 ounces of fino sherry
The Adonis co*cktail recipe steps
1. Add ice to a mixing glass.
2. Pour in the sweet vermouth and fino sherry.
3. Stir gently to combine.
4. Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
5. Garnish with an orange twist.
Bottom line
Why should you drink an Adonis? You might not realize it, but you likely already enjoy a variety of classic co*cktails that lean heavily into sweet vermouth. Popular drinks include the classic Manhattan, Americano, Negroni, Vieux Carré, and more. So why not try one that 50% sweet vermouth (paired perfectly with sherry)?
This drink is also extremely versatile and can be elevated by adding extra ingredients. If the idea of sweet vermouth and fino sherry isn’t enticing enough, you can add orange bitters, Angostura bitters, or other flavored bitters to propel this drink to new heights. That’s the most exciting thing about crafting co*cktails at home. You can experiment with flavors and put your own stamp on it.
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Christopher Osburn is a food and drinks writer located in the Finger Lakes Region of New York. He's been writing professional
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