Try the Tokyo Drift Drink recipe! Combine Japanese Whiskey, Strucchi Rosso Vermouth, Light Vermouth Amaro, and Strega Liqueur for a bold winter cocktail.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 314
Ingredients
- 2 oz Single Malt Japanese Whiskey - originally Yamazaki 12
- ¾ oz Sweet Vermouth
- ½ oz Vermouth Amaro - preferably Cardamaro
- 1 bar spoon of Strega Liqueur
- Ice cubes
- Lemon zest twist - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Coupe Glass
- Measuring Jigger
- Stirring Glass
- Cocktail Strainer
- Stirrer or Bar Spoon
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Fill a Coupe glass with ice. Give it a quick stir and set it aside.
- Add Strega: Pour 1 bar spoon of Strega Liqueur into the mixing glass.
- Add Vermouth Amaro: Measure and pour ½ oz Vermouth Amaro into the mixing glass.
- Add Sweet Vermouth: Add ¾ oz Sweet Vermouth.
- Add Whisky: Finally, add 2 oz Single Malt Japanese Whiskey 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 cocktail coupe and discard the ice inside. Using the cocktail strainer, strain the mixture into the chilled glass.
- Garnish: Garnish with a lemon zest twist (express the peel on top of the drink and then place it on the rim of the glass or drop it directly inside) and serve immediately.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Japanese Whiskey: If you don't have Japanese Whiskey, you can use a single malt Scotch Whisky as an alternative.
- 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.
- Cardamaro Vermouth Amaro: If you can't find Cardamaro, you can use Punt e mes or Cocchi Dopo teatro as a substitute.
- Strega Liqueur: Yellow Chartreuse can be a good substitute for Strega Liqueur, offering similar herbal notes.
Making a Pitcher of Tokyo Drift Drink:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 16 oz of Single Malt Japanese Whiskey, 6 oz of Sweet Vermouth, 4 oz of Cardamaro Vermouth Amaro, and 1 ½ oz of Strega Liqueur.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the Japanese Whiskey, sweet Vermouth, Cardamaro and Strega Liqueur. 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 into a bottle or jar.
- Serve: Pour the mixture into chilled coupe glasses, garnish with a lemon zest twist, and serve immediately. Be sure to put the bottle back into the fridge between each serving so the drink can remain perfectly cold. If you have any leftovers, you can keep the bottle in the fridge for up to three months.
What is a Tokyo Drift Drink?
A Tokyo Drift Drink is a twist on a classic Manhattan made of Japanese Whiskey, sweet vermouth, Cardamaro Vermouth Amaro, and Strega Liqueur.
What is a Tokyo Drift Drink made of – The ingredients
Use these ingredients for your Tokyo Drift Drink:
- Strega Liqueur: An Italian herbal liqueur with a bright yellow color, known for its blend of saffron, mint, and other aromatic herbs, giving a complex and slightly sweet flavor.
- Cardamaro: A wine-based amaro made from cardoon and blessed thistle, offering earthy, slightly bitter, and herbal notes with a hint of sweetness.
- Sweet Vermouth: A fortified wine infused with herbs, botanicals, and spices, adding richness, mild bitterness, and sweetness to cocktails.
- Single Malt Japanese Whisky: A smooth, refined whisky with delicate smoky, earthy, and occasionally fruity notes, characterized by its production and aging processes in Japan.
- Lemon Zest: The outer peel of a lemon, providing aromatic, citrusy oils that add a bright and fresh finish to the drink.
- Ice Cubes: Chills the drink and slightly dilutes it for balance.
