Make your winter cozy with this straightforward Liberal Cocktail recipe! Blend rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, Amer Picon, and orange bitters for a delightful drink.
Prep time:
1 minute
Mixing time:
1 minute
Servings:
1
Calories:
208
Ingredients
- 2 oz Rye Whiskey
- ¾ oz Sweet Vermouth
- ¼ oz Amer Picon - substitute with a similar bitter orange liqueur
- 2 dashes of Orange Bitters
- Ice cubes
- Lemon twist - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Mixing Glass
- Measuring Jigger
- Stirrer or Bar Spoon
- Strainer
- Coupe
Instructions
- Chill Coupe Glass: Stir some ice cubes into your coupe glass.
- Add Orange Bitters: Add 2 dashes of Orange Bitters to the mixing glass.
- Add Amer Picon: Add ¼ oz Amer Picon or a similar bitter orange liqueur.
- Add Sweet Vermouth: Measure and pour ¾ oz Sweet Vermouth into the mixing glass.
- Add Rye Whiskey: Pour 2 oz Rye Whiskey over the ice.
- Prep Mixing Glass: Fill your mixing glass with ice cubes.
- Stir Gently: Use a bar spoon to stir the ingredients gently until well chilled.
- Empty Coupe Glass: Remove the ice from your coupe glass.
- Strain and Serve: Strain the mixture into your chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish: Place a lemon twist into the glass for garnish.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Rye Whiskey: If you don't have rye whiskey, bourbon is a good alternative, though it will add a sweeter profile to the Cocktail.
- Amer Picon: I often use Torani Amer as a substitute for Amer Picon since it's more readily available in some areas. You can also combine orange curaçao and Angostura bitters to mimic the flavor.
- Sweet Vermouth: In a pinch, I've used dry vermouth with a splash of simple syrup to balance the bitterness.
Making a Pitcher of Liberal Cocktail:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 16 oz of rye whiskey, 6 oz of sweet vermouth, 2 oz of Amer Picon, and 16 dashes of orange bitters.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, Amer Picon, and orange bitters with ice. Stir well.
- Serve: Strain the mixture into chilled glasses, garnish with lemon twists, and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Rye Whiskey Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic whiskey substitute; these are available and reasonably mimic whiskey's flavor profile.
- Amer Picon Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic bitter aperitif or make a simple syrup infused with orange peel and a touch of bitterness from gentian root.
- Sweet vermouth: Use a non-alcoholic wine or an aromatized grape juice or concentrate.
- Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, omit the orange bitters and follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
The standard recipe is vegan-friendly as it contains no animal products. Ensure that your chosen brands for rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters do not use animal-derived fining agents or additives.What is a Liberal Cocktail?
A Liberal Cocktail is a rye whiskey-based drink made of rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, Amer Picon, and orange bitters. It’s easy to make because it involves straightforward mixing and stirring steps. This Cocktail offers a rich and complex flavor profile with its blend of bitter, sweet, and citrus notes. The use of Amer Picon adds an exciting twist that sets it apart from other classic cocktails.
What is a Liberal Cocktail made of – The ingredients
For a delicious Liberal Cocktail, use these ingredients:
- Rye Whiskey: Provides the robust and spicy base for the Cocktail.
- Sweet Vermouth: Adds a sweet and herbal complexity to balance the whiskey.
- Amer Picon: Contributes a bitter orange flavor that enhances the drink’s depth.
- Orange Bitters: Adds a hint of citrus and bitterness to round out the flavors.
- Lemon Twist (optional): Offers a fresh citrus aroma and garnish.
