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Imperial

Aperitivo/aperitif · Classic/vintage

4.0 21 ratings

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Ingredients

2 1/2 oz Dry vermouth
3/4 oz Maraschino liqueur
3 dash Absinthe
2 dash Orange bitters
4 drop Saline solution 4:1

How to make

Serve in a nick & nora glass

Prepare

  1. 1 Select and pre-chill a NICK & NORA GLASS.
  2. 2 Prepare garnish of lemon zest twist and skewered Luxardo Maraschino Cherry.

Method

  1. 3 STIR all ingredients with ice.
  2. 4 STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

  1. 5 EXPRESS lemon zest twist over the cocktail and discard.
  2. 6 Garnish with skewered cherry.

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Flavour profile

17.1% alc./vol. · 1.2 standard drinks · 146 calories

History

Unusually, maraschino liqueur forms the backbone of this dry vermouth-based cocktail.

Harry Johnson's 1900 New & Improved Illustrated Bartender's Manual first published The Imperial Cocktail. The instructions are: Fill a large bar glass ¾ full of fine-shaved ice; add 1 or 2 dashes of orange bitters and 1 or 2 dashes of absinthe; add ½ wine glass of French vermouth and ½ wine glass of maraschino. Stir well with a spoon, strain into a cocktail glass, add a cherry, and squeeze a piece of lemon peel on top before serving.