Opera
Gin, Dubonnet and maraschino. A 1920s cocktail with cherry-almond notes.
Stirred · Coupe · Medium · about 3 minutes · about 28% ABV
Ingredients
- 45 ml Gin
- 15 ml Dubonnet Rouge
- 7.5 ml Maraschino liqueur
- Orange twist (garnish)
Method
- Chill the glass
- Pour 45 ml gin into the mixing glass
- Pour 15 ml Dubonnet Rouge into the mixing glass
- Pour 7.5 ml maraschino liqueur into the mixing glass
- Add ice
- Stir
- Strain
- Garnish
Tip
Express the orange twist over the top for brightness.
About the Opera
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.
Opera FAQ
What's in an Opera?
45 ml gin, 15 ml dubonnet rouge, 7.5 ml maraschino liqueur, garnished with orange twist.
How strong is an Opera?
About 28% ABV once mixed with ice, which is 1.8 Australian standard drinks per serve. That is close to a straight spirit, so sip it slowly.
Should I shake or stir an Opera?
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 Opera in?
A coupe, about 180 ml. Chill the glass first and serve without ice. No coupe? Use a martini glass or small wine glass.
