Belvedere
Shake ∙ 3 min ∙ 26.6% ABV ∙
The Belvedere is a shaken spirit-forward sour blending cognac and bourbon with lemon, orange liqueur, and maraschino liqueur, served up in a coupe. Cognac and bourbon layer stone-fruit warmth under a bright citrus snap, with a faint cherry-almond sweetness lingering into a dry, boozy finish - a confident after-dinner pour.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Shake all ingredients with ice: Cognac 30 mlBourbon 30 mlLemon juice 20 mlTriple sec 15 mlMaraschino liqueur 10 ml
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
Tips
- Shake hard for a full 12-15 seconds with cracked ice to properly dilute and chill this spirit-forward, dual-brandy-and-bourbon blend before fine-straining into a chilled coupe.
- Measure the maraschino liqueur carefully with a small jigger since only 10 ml is used; overpouring easily overwhelms the cognac and bourbon balance.
- Combine the two base spirits, lemon juice, triple sec and maraschino together in the shaker first, then add ice last to prevent premature dilution.
- Double-strain through a fine mesh strainer to catch ice shards, giving a silky texture that suits the delicate coupe presentation.
History
This cocktail belongs to the classic stirred-and-shaken family of early 20th-century spirit-forward sours, combining brandy, bourbon, citrus, orange liqueur, and maraschino. Its exact origin is unclear, but the flavor profile echoes pre-Prohibition recipes that balanced strong base spirits with lemon juice and a touch of cherry-almond sweetness from maraschino.
FAQ
What does this cocktail taste like?
It tastes strong, citrusy, and slightly sweet, with cognac, bourbon, lemon, orange liqueur, and maraschino creating a layered, balanced profile.
How do you make a Belvedere cocktail?
Shake cognac, bourbon, fresh lemon juice, triple sec, and maraschino liqueur hard with ice, then fine-strain into a chilled coupe glass. The shake is essential here — it aerates and chills a build that carries two full spirits plus two liqueurs, at around 26.6% ABV.
Is a Belvedere cocktail shaken or stirred?
Shaken. The lemon juice needs the aeration and quick chill of a shake, which also tempers the strength of the combined cognac and bourbon.
What glass is a Belvedere cocktail served in?
A coupe glass, served up with no ice in the glass since the drink is fine-strained after shaking.
