Cool off with this easy Warsaw Cocktail recipe! Mix vodka, red vermouth, cherry brandy and a hint of Triple Sec for a rich winter cocktail.
Prep time:
1 minute
Mixing time:
1 minute
Servings:
1
Calories:
230
Ingredients
- 2 oz Vodka - preferably Polish
- ½ oz Red Vermouth
- ½ oz Cherry Brandy Liqueur - originally Polish Wiśniówka
- ¼ oz Triple Sec
- 2 dashes of Black Cherry Bitters
- Ice cubes
- Orange zest twist or Maraschino cherry - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Martini or Coupe Glass
- Measuring Jigger
- Mixing Glass
- Cocktail Strainer
- Stirrer or Bar Spoon
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Fill a Martini or coupe glass with ice. Give it a quick stir and set it aside.
- Add Bitters: Pour 2 dashes of Black Cherry Bitters into the mixing glass.
- Add Triple Sec: Measure and pour ¼ oz Triple Sec into the mixing glass.
- Add Cherry Liqueur: Add ½ oz Cherry Brandy Liqueur.
- Add Red Vermouth: Add ½ oz Red Vermouth.
- Add Vodka: Finally, add 2 oz Vodka 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 a maraschino cherry or an orange zest twist (express the orange zest on top of the drink and then place it on the rim of the glass or drop it directly inside). Serve immediately.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Vodka: If you don't have vodka, you can use gin for a more botanical flavor. I've also tried pisco, which adds a different but pleasant twist.
- Red Vermouth: Any kind of red vermouth can be used for this recipe. You could also try a fortified wine like red or ruby port or even sherry (Oloroso, Palo Cortado or Pedro Ximenez for example) for a different flavor profile.
- Cherry Cherry Brandy Liqueur: The Warsaw Cocktail recipe originally calls for Polish Wiśniówka, a cherry liqueur made by soaking sour cherries in vodka. Cherry brandy liqueurs such as Cherry Heering are a perfect substitute for this product; if you can't find any, use blackberry liqueur or a raspberry liqueur such as Chambord, which also works very well as an alternative.
- Triple Sec: Any type of orange liqueur, such as curaçao for example, can be used to make this cocktail. Cointreau is a popular option, but you can also use Grand Marnier in this cocktail for a drier, more potent twist. On the contrary, 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 white 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.
- Black Cherry Bitters: If you can’t find black cherry bitters, you can use other aromatic bitters such as blackcurrant bitters or even classic Angostura bitters.
Making a Pitcher of Warsaw Cocktail:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 16 oz of vodka, 4 oz of red vermouth, 4 oz of cherry brandy liqueur, 2 oz of Triple Sec and 16 dashes of black cherry bitters.
- Mix: Combine the vodka, red vermouth, cherry brandy liqueur, Triple Sec and black cherry bitters in a large pitcher. Add ice and stir well. Give it a taste and stir a bit more if you feel like more dilution is necessary and strain to remove the ice.
- Serve: Pour the mixture into chilled martini or coupe glasses, garnish each glass with an orange peel or a Maraschino cherry and serve immediately. 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 as vermouth is prone to oxidation when kept at room temperature.
Making it Vegan:
The Warsaw cocktail is naturally vegan as it doesn't contain any animal products. Most spirits, including vodka and Triple Sec, are vegan-friendly. However, some brands of liqueur and vermouth may use animal products in their production process; always check the brand's website or contact them directly to ensure their products are vegan.What is a Warsaw Cocktail?
A Warsaw Cocktail is a cocktail made of vodka, sweet vermouth, cherry liqueur, Triple Sec and black cherry bitters. It’s easy to make, requiring only these 5 ingredients and simple stirring.
What is a Warsaw Cocktail made of – The ingredients
You need these ingredients to make a Warsaw Cocktail:
- Vodka: Provides a neutral base that allows the other flavors to shine.
- Sweet Vermouth: Adds a sweet and slightly bitter complexity to the drink.
- Cherry Brandy Liqueur: A fruity liqueur that brings a rich cherry flavor, adding both sweetness and depth to the cocktail; in this case, the traditional Polish Wiśniówka is often used.
- Triple Sec: A citrus-flavored liqueur made from the dried peels of bitter and sweet oranges, adding a subtle orange aroma and sweetness.
- Black Cherry Bitters: These bitters provide a concentrated cherry flavor with a hint of bitterness, enhancing the overall depth and balance of the drink.
- Maraschino Cherry or Orange Zest (for garnish): These garnishes add a final aromatic touch, either with the sweetness of a cherry or the zesty freshness of orange.
