Napoleon
Gin with Grand Marnier, Dubonnet and a dash of Fernet. Rich and bitter-sweet.
Stirred · Coupe · Medium · about 3 minutes · about 31% ABV
Ingredients
- 50 ml Gin
- 7.5 ml Grand Marnier
- 7.5 ml Dubonnet Rouge
- 1 dash Fernet-Branca
- Orange twist (garnish)
Method
- Chill the glass
- Pour 50 ml gin into the mixing glass
- Pour 7.5 ml Grand Marnier into the mixing glass
- Pour 7.5 ml Dubonnet Rouge into the mixing glass
- Add 1 dash of Fernet-Branca
- Add ice
- Stir
- Strain
- Garnish
Tip
The Fernet is just a dash. Any more will dominate.
About the Napoleon
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.
Napoleon FAQ
What's in a Napoleon?
50 ml gin, 7.5 ml grand marnier, 7.5 ml dubonnet rouge, 1 dash fernet-branca, garnished with orange twist.
How strong is a Napoleon?
About 31% ABV once mixed with ice, which is 1.9 Australian standard drinks per serve. That is close to a straight spirit, so sip it slowly.
Should I shake or stir a Napoleon?
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 a Napoleon in?
A coupe, about 180 ml. Chill the glass first and serve without ice. No coupe? Use a martini glass or small wine glass.
