Adonis Cocktail Drink

Adonis

A shot of Gavin Wrigley looking to the camera in a dimly lit room
Written by
Gavin Wrigley
Andrea
Tested by
Andrea Ottaiano

Explore the Adonis cocktail recipe, where rich flavors come together to create a drink every enthusiast should try.

Adonis Recipe

Try the Adonis cocktail recipe this season! Combine Sweet Vermouth, Sherry, and orange peel for a delightful drink experience.

Prep time:

1 minute

Mixing time:

1 minute

Servings:

1

Calories:

112 kl

Ingredients

  • oz Fino Sherry
  • oz sweet Vermouth
  • 1 dash of orange bitters
  • Ice cubes
  • Orange peel, for garnish

Equipment

  • Mixing Glass
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Stirrer or Bar Spoon
  • Strainer
  • Coupe Glass

Instructions

  • Chill Glass: Fill your coupe glass with ice, stir and set it aside.
  • Add Bitters: Add 1 dash of orange bitters to the mixing glass.
  • Add Sherry: Add 1½ oz Fino Sherry to the mix.
  • Add Vermouth: Measure and pour 1½ oz sweet Vermouth into the mixing glass.
  • Prep Mixing Glass: Fill your mixing glass with ice cubes.
  • Stir Gently: Use a bar spoon to stir the ingredients gently until well chilled.
  • Prep Glass: Discard the ice from the coupe glass.
  • Strain and Serve: Strain the mixture into your chilled coupe glass.
  • Garnish: Twist an orange peel over the drink to release its oils, then drop it in for garnish or place another on the rim.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Fino Sherry: If you don't have Fino Sherry, try using dry white wine for a similar dryness, though it will lack some complexity.
  • Sweet Vermouth: In place of sweet vermouth, try using dry vermouth for another famous drier version.
  • Orange Bitters: If you're out of orange bitters, use Angostura bitters instead or other citrus bitters for a twist.

Making a Pitcher of Adonis:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 8 dashes of orange bitters, 12 oz of Fino Sherry and 12 oz of Sweet Vermouth.
  • Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the sherry, vermouth, and bitters. Stir well with ice.
  • Serve: Strain the mixture into individual chilled coupe glasses, garnish with an orange peel, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Sherry Substitute: Use non-alcoholic white grape juice with a splash of apple cider vinegar for acidity.
  • Vermouth Substitute: Try using pomegranate juice mixed with a bit of herbal tea for depth.
  • Orange Bitters: Try using a drop of orange blossom water.
  • Proceed As Usual: Follow the original steps using these substitutes to enjoy a non-alcoholic version.

Nutrition Facts

Calories
112
% Daily Value*
Sodium
 
2
mg
0
%
Carbohydrates
 
2
g
1
%
Sugar
 
1
g
1
%
Potassium
 
30
mg
1
%
Protein
 
0.03
g
0
%
Calcium
 
4
mg
0
%
Iron
 
0.1
mg
1
%

 

Adonis Cocktail Drink

Adonis Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
Jump to Video
Try the Adonis cocktail recipe this season! Combine Sweet Vermouth, Sherry, and orange peel for a delightful drink experience.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 112

Ingredients
 

  • oz Fino Sherry
  • oz sweet Vermouth
  • 1 dash of orange bitters
  • Ice cubes
  • Orange peel - for garnish

Equipment

  • Mixing Glass
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Stirrer or Bar Spoon
  • Strainer
  • Coupe Glass

Instructions

  • Chill Glass: Fill your coupe glass with ice, stir and set it aside.
  • Add Bitters: Add 1 dash of orange bitters to the mixing glass.
  • Add Sherry: Add 1½ oz Fino Sherry to the mix.
  • Add Vermouth: Measure and pour 1½ oz sweet Vermouth into the mixing glass.
  • Prep Mixing Glass: Fill your mixing glass with ice cubes.
  • Stir Gently: Use a bar spoon to stir the ingredients gently until well chilled.
  • Prep Glass: Discard the ice from the coupe glass.
  • Strain and Serve: Strain the mixture into your chilled coupe glass.
  • Garnish: Twist an orange peel over the drink to release its oils, then drop it in for garnish or place another on the rim.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Fino Sherry: If you don't have Fino Sherry, try using dry white wine for a similar dryness, though it will lack some complexity.
  • Sweet Vermouth: In place of sweet vermouth, try using dry vermouth for another famous drier version.
  • Orange Bitters: If you're out of orange bitters, use Angostura bitters instead or other citrus bitters for a twist.

Making a Pitcher of Adonis:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 8 dashes of orange bitters, 12 oz of Fino Sherry and 12 oz of Sweet Vermouth.
  • Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the sherry, vermouth, and bitters. Stir well with ice.
  • Serve: Strain the mixture into individual chilled coupe glasses, garnish with an orange peel, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Sherry Substitute: Use non-alcoholic white grape juice with a splash of apple cider vinegar for acidity.
  • Vermouth Substitute: Try using pomegranate juice mixed with a bit of herbal tea for depth.
  • Orange Bitters: Try using a drop of orange blossom water.
  • Proceed As Usual: Follow the original steps using these substitutes to enjoy a non-alcoholic version.

What is an Adonis?

An Adonis is a sherry-based cocktail made of Fino Sherry, Sweet Vermouth, and orange bitters. It’s easy to make because it involves simple mixing without any complex techniques. This drink dates back to the late 19th century and was named after a Broadway musical hit at that time, adding an interesting historical touch to its classic appeal.

A side shot of an Adonis cocktail in a coupe glass on a wooden tray and table surrounded by a jigger and an orange

What is an Adonis made of – The ingredients

You need these ingredients for an Adonis recipe:

  • Fino Sherry: Delivers a dry, crisp flavor that serves as the cocktail’s foundation.
  • Sweet Vermouth: Contributes sweetness and herbal notes to balance the sherry.
  • Orange Bitters: Adds a touch of citrus and aromatic complexity to the drink.
  • Orange Peel (Garnish): Provides a fresh citrus aroma and enhances presentation.

Fino sherry, sweet vermouth, orange bitters and orange laid out on a white bar table

How do you make an Adonis?

Discover the process of making an Adonis with our guide:

1
<p>Chill your coupe glass by stirring some ice in it.</p>

Chill your coupe glass by stirring some ice in it.

2
<p>In a mixing glass, include a dash of orange bitters to enhance the cocktail's flavor profile.</p>

In a mixing glass, include a dash of orange bitters to enhance the cocktail's flavor profile.

3
<p>Pour 1½ oz of Fino Sherry into the mixing glass.</p>

Pour 1½ oz of Fino Sherry into the mixing glass.

4
<p>Add 1½ oz of Sweet Vermouth to the mixing glass, complementing the sherry.</p>

Add 1½ oz of Sweet Vermouth to the mixing glass, complementing the sherry.

5
<p>Fill the mixing glass with ice cubes to chill the ingredients.</p>

Fill the mixing glass with ice cubes to chill the ingredients.

6
<p>Use a bar spoon to stir the mixture gently, ensuring the ingredients blend well and chill thoroughly.</p>

Use a bar spoon to stir the mixture gently, ensuring the ingredients blend well and chill thoroughly.

7
<p>Discard the ice from your coupe glass.</p>

Discard the ice from your coupe glass.

8
<p>Strain the mixture into the chilled coupe glass.</p>

Strain the mixture into the chilled coupe glass.

9
<p>Twist an orange peel over the glass to release its oils, then drop it in as a garnish or place it on the rim of the glass.</p>

Twist an orange peel over the glass to release its oils, then drop it in as a garnish or place it on the rim of the glass.

History and Origin of the Adonis

The Adonis cocktail began in the late 19th century when bartenders in New York City crafted it to honor the success of a popular Broadway musical called “Adonis.” An Adonis cocktail, shot from above, in a coupe glass on a beige surface surrounded by Fino sherry, sweet vermouth, orange bitters and orange

See More

Did you make this recipe?

We’d love to see how you crafted our recipes!
Tag us on Instagram at @_drinksworld

FAQ

How many calories are in an Adonis cocktail?
An Adonis cocktail typically contains around 100-150 calories, depending on the specific ingredients and quantities used.
How strong is the Adonis cocktail?
The Adonis has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of approximately 15%, which translates to about 30 proof.
What alcohol is used in an Adonis?
The primary alcohols in an Adonis are Fino Sherry and Sweet Vermouth.
In which glass is the Adonis served?
Bartenders usually serve the Adonis in a coupe glass.
What does an Adonis taste like?
The Adonis offers a balanced taste with dry, nutty notes from the sherry, sweetness from the vermouth, and a hint of citrus from the bitters.
What is the ratio of ingredients in an Adonis?
The typical ratio for an Adonis is equal parts Fino Sherry and Sweet Vermouth, often 1½ oz each with 1 or 2 dashes of orange bitters.
How is the Adonis served?
Serve the Adonis "up," meaning it is chilled with ice but strained into a glass without ice.

Categories

Types

Flavours

Share
Pin
Post
Share
Send
Email

Rate this recipe

I don’t like it

It’s not bad

I like it

I really like it!

I love it!

Comments

Leave a Reply

Select language

The page you are looking at is also available in the following languages:

Recipe Overview

Explore our recipes by the categories below.

By spirit

By type

By flavor

Spirits Overview

Explore our spirits by the categories below.

Types