Enjoy the perfect winter drink with our Diplomat Cocktail recipe! Blend dry Vermouth, sweet Vermouth, maraschino liqueur and orange bitters to create this comforting cocktail.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 121
Ingredients
- 1½ oz dry vermouth
- ¾ oz sweet vermouth
- 1 bar spoon maraschino liqueur
- 1 dash of orange bitters
- Ice cubes
- Orange zest twist and/or maraschino cherry - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Cocktail Glass
- Measuring Jigger
- Bar spoon
- Stirring Glass
- Cocktail Strainer
- Martini or Coupe Glass
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Fill a Martini or Coupe glass with ice. Give it a quick stir and set it aside.
- Add Bitters: Pour 1 dash of orange bitters into the mixing glass.
- Add Maraschino: Measure and pour 1 bar spoon maraschino liqueur into the mixing glass.
- Add Sweet Vermouth: Add ¾ oz sweet vermouth.
- Add Dry Vermouth: Then, add 1½ oz dry vermouth to the mix.
- Add Ice and Stir: Fill the mixing glass with ice. Using a bar spoon or a long stirrer, stir well (for about 15-20 seconds). Give it a taste and stir a bit more if you feel like more dilution is necessary.
- Strain: Take your Martini glass or cocktail coupe and discard the ice inside. Using the cocktail strainer, strain the mixture into the chilled glass.
- Garnish: Garnish with an orange twist (express the orange zest on top of the drink and discard it) and/or a maraschino cherry and serve immediately.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Dry Vermouth: You can substitute dry vermouth with extra-dry vermouth or white vermouth if needed. It won't be exactly the same, but it will do in a pinch. White wine aperitifs such as Lillet Blanc are also a good alternative if you are out of white vermouth.
- Sweet Vermouth: Any kind of red vermouth can be used for this recipe. You could also try a fortified wine like port or sherry (Oloroso, Palo Cortado, or Pedro Ximenez for example) for a different flavor profile.
- Maraschino Liqueur: Maraschino liqueur has a very specific taste that’s hard to recreate. It does not go bad and it’s a very common ingredient in classic cocktails, so it’s always useful to have a bottle in your home bar! If you really can’t find any, try using cherry brandy or even a bit of amaretto for a different twist.
- Orange Bitters: Lemon, grapefruit, or even regular Angostura bitters can work if you don't have orange bitters on hand. To get the orange notes, try expressing an orange zest in the mixing glass before stirring.
Making a Pitcher of Diplomat Cocktail:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 12 oz of dry Vermouth, 6 oz of sweet Vermouth, 1,5 oz of maraschino liqueur, and 8 dashes of orange bitters.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the dry Vermouth, sweet Vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and orange bitters. Add ice and stir well. Give it a taste and stir a bit more if you feel like more dilution is necessary. Strain to remove the ice and transfer it into a bottle.
- Serve: Pour the mixture into chilled martini or coupe glasses, garnish each glass with a maraschino cherry and/or an orange zest twist, and serve immediately. Be sure to put the bottle back into the fridge between each serving as a Diplomat cocktail should always be served cold. If you have any leftovers, you can keep the bottle in the fridge for up to three months.
Making it Vegan:
The standard recipe is vegan-friendly since it contains no animal products. If you're strict about it, just ensure that your vermouths and maraschino liqueur are certified vegan.What is a Diplomat Cocktail?
A Diplomat Cocktail is a classic cocktail made of dry Vermouth, sweet Vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and orange bitters. It’s easy to make because it involves straightforward mixing and stirring of ingredients. This cocktail offers a balanced blend of sweetness and bitterness, making it an elegant choice for those who appreciate classic drinks.
What is a Diplomat Cocktail made of – The ingredients
Here are the ingredients you need for a Diplomat Cocktail:
- Orange Bitters: Adds a zesty citrus aroma with a subtle bitterness, balancing the sweetness in the cocktail.
- Maraschino Liqueur: A clear liqueur made from Marasca cherries, providing a sweet, nutty cherry flavor with a hint of bitterness.
- Sweet Vermouth: A fortified wine infused with herbs and spices, contributing rich, aromatic sweetness to the drink.
- Dry Vermouth: A lighter, drier version of vermouth that introduces a crisp, herbal taste, balancing the sweetness of the other ingredients.
- Orange Zest Twist (optional): This garnish adds a fresh, aromatic touch and underlines the citrus notes from the orange bitters.
- Maraschino Candied Cherry (optional): Adds a touch of sweetness and some visual appeal to the drink.
