25th Hour
Stir ∙ 3 min ∙ 26.8% ABV ∙
The 25th Hour is a stirred, spirit-forward cocktail of peated single malt whisky, tawny port, amaro, maraschino liqueur, and bitters, served up. Smoke rolls in first from the peated whisky, then fig-like port sweetness and bitter amaro settle it, with a faint almond-cherry note lingering into a dry, smoky finish.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Stir all ingredients with ice: Peated single malt whisky 40 mlTawny port 25 mlAmaro 15 mlMaraschino liqueur 5 mlAngostura aromatic bitters 2 dashes
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
- Express a lemon twist over the cocktail and use as garnish
Tips
- Stir over large cubes for 20-25 seconds only; the peated malt's smoke and the amaro's bitterness can turn harsh with over-dilution.
- Chill the coupe in the freezer beforehand since this spirit-forward stir gets no extra dilution from shaking.
- Add the maraschino liqueur last in small measure so its sweetness doesn't overpower the drink.
- Express the lemon twist directly over the surface before resting it on the rim to lift the peat smoke aromatically.
History
The 25th Hour was created in 2021 by bartender Sandy de Almeida at The Drake Hotel in Toronto, Canada. It was devised as a riff on the Rob Roy, reworked with the addition of amaro alongside the base whisky. The original recipe called for Bowmore 12-year-old Islay scotch and Nonino Amaro, with later published versions offering other peated whiskies and amaro brands as substitutes.
FAQ
What is in a 25th Hour cocktail?
Peated single malt whisky, tawny port, amaro, maraschino liqueur, and aromatic bitters, stirred and strained into a chilled glass. The whisky leads, with the port and amaro filling out the body and the maraschino adding a small sweet accent.
Is a 25th Hour shaken or stirred?
Stirred. All five ingredients are spirits or liqueurs with no juice, so stirring chills and dilutes the drink without clouding it, keeping it clear and dense.
Does a 25th Hour need to use a peated whisky?
The peat is central to this build; it is what gives the drink its smoky backbone against the port and amaro. Swapping in an unpeated single malt will make a milder, sweeter drink but lose the smoke that defines this particular recipe.
Is a 25th Hour vegan?
Yes, this recipe is vegan, vegetarian, and lactose-free, and it runs about 184 calories per serving at roughly 26.8% ABV.
