Try the Jean Harlow Cocktail recipe! Blend light rum, sweet vermouth, and orange bitters for an ideal springtime cocktail.
Prep time: 1 minute minute
Mixing time: 1 minute minute
- 1½ oz Light Rum
- 1½ oz Sweet Vermouth
- 1 dash of orange bitters
- Ice cubes
- Lemon zest spiral or twist - for garnish, optional
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 Vermouth: Add 1½ oz Sweet Vermouth.
Add Light Rum: Measure and pour 1½ oz Light Rum into the mixing glass as well.
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 lemon zest spiral or twist and serve immediately.
Substitutes:
- Light Rum: If you don't have light rum, you can use white rum as an alternative. I've also tried using vodka for a different but still enjoyable flavor.
- Sweet Vermouth: Dry vermouth can work in a pinch, though it will change the drink's character slightly. Adding a small splash of simple syrup can help balance the flavors.
- Orange Bitters: opt for Angostura bitters or any other citrus bitters for a different twist.
Making a Pitcher of Jean Harlow Cocktail:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 12 oz of light rum, 12 oz of sweet vermouth, and 8 dashes of orange bitters.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the light rum, sweet vermouth, and bitters with ice. Stir well.
- Serve: Strain the mixture chilled martini glasses, garnish with a lemon twist, and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Rum Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic rum substitute; these are available and reasonably mimic rum's flavor profile.
- Vermouth Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic vermouth or use grape juice with a touch of bitters to mimic the complexity of vermouth.
- Orange bitters: opt for an orange peel infused syrup with gentian root for a touch of bitterness.
- Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
The Jean Harlow Cocktail is naturally vegan as it contains no animal products. Just ensure that any substitutes you use are also vegan-friendly.