Old Hickory
Sweet and dry vermouth with two bitters. Named after President Andrew Jackson.
Stirred · Coupe · Medium · about 3 minutes · about 15% ABV
Ingredients
- 45 ml Sweet vermouth
- 45 ml Dry vermouth
- 2 dashes Orange bitters
- 2 dashes Peychaud's bitters
- Lemon twist (garnish)
Method
- Chill the glass
- Pour 45 ml sweet vermouth into the mixing glass
- Pour 45 ml dry vermouth into the mixing glass
- Add 2 dashes of Orange bitters
- Add 2 dashes of Peychaud's bitters
- Add ice
- Stir
- Strain
- Garnish
Tip
Very low in alcohol and very aromatic.
About the Old Hickory
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.
Old Hickory FAQ
What's in an Old Hickory?
45 ml sweet vermouth, 45 ml dry vermouth, 2 dashes orange bitters, 2 dashes peychaud's bitters, garnished with lemon twist.
How strong is an Old Hickory?
About 15% ABV once mixed with ice, which is 1.3 Australian standard drinks per serve. That is about as strong as a glass of wine or lighter.
Should I shake or stir an Old Hickory?
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 Old Hickory in?
A coupe, about 180 ml. Chill the glass first and serve without ice. No coupe? Use a martini glass or small wine glass.
