Refresh yourself with the Man o' War cocktail recipe! Blend bourbon, Triple Sec, sweet vermouth, and lemon juice for a perfect fall drink.
Prep time:
1 minute
Mixing time:
1 minute
Servings:
1
Calories:
169
Ingredients
- 1½ oz Bourbon
- ½ oz Triple Sec
- ½ oz sweet vermouth
- ½ oz fresh lemon juice
- Ice cubes
- Lemon zest twist and maraschino cherry - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
- Cocktail Strainer
- Fine strainer
- Measuring Jigger
- Martini or Coupe Glass
- Cocktail Skewer (for garnishing, optional)
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Fill a Martini or Coupe glass with ice. Give it a quick stir and set it aside.
- Add Lemon Juice: Pour ½ oz fresh lemon juice into the shaker.
- Add Vermouth: Add ½ oz sweet vermouth.
- Add Triple Sec: Add ½ oz Triple Sec.
- Add Bourbon: Finally, add 1½ oz Bourbon to the mix.
- Shake Well: Fill the shaker with ice, close it, and give it a good shake (10-15 seconds).
- Strain: Take the Coupe or Martini glass and discard the ice inside. Then, using both the cocktail strainer and the fine strainer, strain the shaken drink into the chilled glass.
- Garnish: Garnish with a lemon zest twist and a maraschino cherry skewered together and serve immediately.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Bourbon: You can use rye whiskey for a spicier kick if you don't have bourbon. We've also tried it with brandy (more specifically Cognac), which adds a different but pleasant flavor profile.
- Cointreau: Any type of orange liqueur, such as dry curaçao for example, can be used to make this cocktail. For a lighter version, you can use orange peel syrup as a substitute. To make your own syrup, mix together 1 part white sugar and 1 part water over low heat. Stir well to dissolve the sugar, remove from the heat, and add orange peels to the syrup. Let the mixture cool down to temperature, transfer to an airtight container, and let it infuse in the fridge for at least one day. When ready to use, strain to remove the peels and store in the fridge after use.
- 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. Dry vermouth can also be used for a less sweet cocktail, although it will certainly result in quite a different-tasting cocktail.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Bottled lemon juice can work without fresh lemons, but fresh is always best for that vibrant citrus note. Another option is to use fresh lime juice for a slightly different citrus kick.
Making a Pitcher of Man O' War:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 12 oz of bourbon, 4 oz of Cointreau, 4 oz of sweet vermouth, and 4 oz of fresh lemon juice.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the bourbon, Cointreau, sweet vermouth, and lemon juice. Add ice and stir well.
- Serve: Strain to remove the ice, serve immediately into chilled coupe glasses and garnish each glass with a lemon peel and a maraschino cherry. If you have some leftovers, be sure to keep it in the fridge (make sure no ice cubes are left inside) in an airtight container. Give it a taste and stir a bit more if you feel like more dilution is necessary.
What is a Man o’ War Cocktail?
A Man o’ War cocktail is a whiskey-based cocktail made of bourbon, Cointreau, sweet vermouth, and fresh lemon juice. It’s not difficult to make because it requires only essential bartending tools like a shaker and strainer. This cocktail offers a balanced mix of sweetness and citrus with the robust flavor of bourbon, making it an exciting choice for those who enjoy complex yet approachable drinks.
What is a Man o’ War Cocktail Made of – The Ingredients
Collect these ingredients to create a Man o’ War cocktail:
- Bourbon: A whiskey known for its deep caramel and vanilla flavors, typically made from at least 51% corn, lending a rich, slightly sweet finish to cocktails.
- Sweet Vermouth: A fortified wine infused with botanicals, offering a subtle blend of sweet, bitter, and herbal flavors.
- Triple Sec or Cointreau: A citrus-flavored liqueur made from the dried peels of bitter and sweet oranges, bringing a bright and zesty sweetness to cocktails.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice adds a sharp, tart acidity that balances the richness of the other ingredients.
- Maraschino Cherry (for garnish): A preserved cherry soaked in maraschino liqueur, used as a garnish that contributes a hint of sweetness to the final drink.
