Ingredients

1½ ozdry sherry
45 ml
¾ ozsweet vermouth
22 ml
2 dashesorange bitters
2 dashes

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Stir for 25–30 rotations — about 45 seconds. The Adonis is a low-ABV stirred cocktail that should be crystal clear and silky. Strain into a chilled Nick & Nora glass or coupe. Express a wide orange peel over the surface, run it around the rim, and drop it in. The drink should be pale amber with a faint orange hue from the bitters.

Sips & Tips

Technique

The Adonis is a low-ABV cocktail — both sherry and vermouth are fortified wines, not spirits. This means it's more delicate than a spirit-forward stirred drink; don't over-stir or it will become watery. 25 rotations is enough. Use a fino or manzanilla sherry for the driest, most elegant result; an amontillado adds nuttiness and complexity.

Balance

The sherry is the star — use a quality fino like Tio Pepe or a manzanilla like La Gitana. The sweet vermouth should be fresh and stored in the fridge; Dolin Rouge or Carpano Antica Formula both work beautifully. The orange bitters are essential — they bridge the sherry and vermouth and add a citrus brightness. Reagan's Orange Bitters or Angostura Orange are the standard choices.

History

The Adonis was created at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City in 1884, named after the Broadway musical of the same year — the longest-running musical of the 19th century. It's one of the earliest recorded low-ABV cocktails and a precursor to the modern aperitif movement. It deserves far more attention than it currently receives.

The Adonis is the cocktail for people who want elegance without the alcohol. Sherry, vermouth, orange bitters — it's sophisticated, complex, and deeply satisfying. Cheers.

Variations

Bamboo

Replace the sweet vermouth with dry vermouth. The result is drier and more austere — a perfect pre-dinner aperitif. Use a fino sherry and Dolin Dry vermouth for the most elegant version.

Amontillado Adonis

Use amontillado sherry instead of fino. The amontillado's nutty, oxidative character adds depth and complexity — a richer, more contemplative version of the classic. Increase the orange bitters to 3 dashes.