Imperial Cocktail
Gin and dry vermouth with a touch of maraschino and bitters. An early-1900s martini.
Stirred · Coupe · Medium · about 3 minutes · about 24% ABV
Ingredients
- 40 ml Gin
- 40 ml Dry vermouth
- 5 ml Maraschino liqueur
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
- Cocktail cherry (garnish)
Method
- Chill the glass
- Pour 40 ml gin into the mixing glass
- Pour 40 ml dry vermouth into the mixing glass
- Pour 5 ml maraschino liqueur into the mixing glass
- Add 1 dash of Angostura bitters
- Add ice
- Stir
- Strain
- Garnish
Tip
Stir until icy cold.
About the Imperial Cocktail
The vermouth cocktail family. Vermouth reached American bars in the 1860s and 1870s, and bartenders began stirring it with whiskey, gin and brandy. That gave us the Manhattan and the Martinez, the ancestor of the Martini. Drinks in this family are stirred rather than shaken, and they are all about the balance between the spirit and the aromatised wine.
Imperial Cocktail FAQ
What's in an Imperial Cocktail?
40 ml gin, 40 ml dry vermouth, 5 ml maraschino liqueur, 1 dash angostura bitters, garnished with cocktail cherry.
How strong is an Imperial Cocktail?
About 24% ABV once mixed with ice, which is 2.0 Australian standard drinks per serve. That is stronger than a glass of wine.
Should I shake or stir an Imperial Cocktail?
Stir it. It is made only of spirits and wines, so stirring keeps it clear and silky. Shaking would make it cloudy and frothy.
What glass do you serve an Imperial Cocktail in?
A coupe, about 180 ml. Chill the glass first and serve without ice. No coupe? Use a martini glass or small wine glass.
