Coronation
Stir ∙ 3 min ∙ 13.6% ABV ∙
The Coronation is a low-ABV stirred aperitif of dry vermouth, fino sherry, and maraschino liqueur, finished with orange bitters and served up in a coupe.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Stir all ingredients with ice: Dry vermouth 50 mlFino sherry 40 mlMaraschino liqueur 5 mlOrange bitters 2 dashes
- Strain into the chilled glass
- Express a lemon (or orange) twist over the cocktail and discard
- Garnish with olives and a lemon twist on a skewer
Tips
- With no juice or base spirit, the drink depends on being really cold, so stir with plenty of large cubes for 20-25 seconds.
- Keep the sherry and vermouth in the fridge; the drink gets cold faster and takes on less water.
- Hold the maraschino to 5 ml; even a little more drowns out the fino and the vermouth.
History
The Coronation Cocktail was created to mark the coronation of King Edward VII, which took place in August 1902 after a postponement caused by his emergency appendicitis operation. Bartender Joseph Rose of Murray Brothers' Café in Newark, New Jersey, is credited with the recipe, a low-proof mix of French vermouth, dry sherry, maraschino liqueur, and orange bitters, which won a prize in the 1903 Police Gazette Bartenders' Contest.
The drink first appeared in print in Charles S. Mahoney's 1905 Hoffman House Bartender's Guide, crediting Rose, and was later included in Harry Craddock's 1930 Savoy Cocktail Book, where it was listed as Coronation No. 1 to distinguish it from other cocktails that also carried the Coronation name.
FAQ
What is a Coronation cocktail?
A stirred, low-alcohol aperitif of dry vermouth and fino sherry with a touch of maraschino liqueur and orange bitters, served up in a coupe. It was created to mark the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902. It is vegan, vegetarian and lactose-free.
How do you make a Coronation cocktail?
Stir 50 ml dry vermouth, 40 ml fino sherry, 5 ml maraschino liqueur and 2 dashes of orange bitters with plenty of ice, then strain into a chilled coupe. Express a lemon twist over the top and discard it, then garnish with olives and a lemon twist on a skewer.
Is a Coronation cocktail shaken or stirred?
Stirred. There is no juice, so stirring chills and dilutes the drink gently without clouding it.
What glass is a Coronation served in?
A coupe glass, served up with no ice.
Is a Coronation cocktail strong?
No. At about 13.6% ABV it is closer in strength to a glass of fortified wine than to a gin- or whiskey-based cocktail, which suits it to serving before a meal rather than as a nightcap.
