Belvedere
A sour and citrus cocktail ∙ Shake ∙ 3 min ∙ 22.3% 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.
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
- Use a small jigger for the 10 ml of maraschino; a heavy pour easily drowns out the Cognac and bourbon.
History
This cocktail belongs to the 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 a Belvedere cocktail taste like?
Strong, tart and slightly sweet. The Cognac and bourbon give it weight, the lemon makes it sour, and the orange liqueur and maraschino add orange and cherry-almond sweetness.
How do you make a Belvedere cocktail?
Shake 30 ml Cognac, 30 ml bourbon, 20 ml fresh lemon juice, 15 ml triple sec and 10 ml maraschino liqueur hard with ice, then fine-strain into a chilled coupe. Measure the maraschino carefully; a heavy pour drowns the Cognac and bourbon. It comes in at around 22.3% 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.
