Dubliner
Stir ∙ 3 min ∙ 31.3% ABV ∙
The Dubliner is a stirred, spirit-forward cocktail of Irish whiskey, orange liqueur, and sweet vermouth, finished with orange bitters. Malty whiskey warmth meets a citrus-orange sweetness and a soft vermouth undertone, closing on a bittersweet edge that suits a slow, after-dinner sip.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Stir all ingredients with ice: Irish whiskey 60 mlCognac orange liqueur (e.g., Grand Marnier) 15 mlRosso vermouth 15 mlOrange bitters 1 dash
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry
Tips
- Stir the whiskey, orange liqueur, vermouth and bitters with ice for about 30 seconds to properly chill and dilute without clouding the drink, since shaking bruises this spirit-forward mix.
- Use large cubes for stirring to control dilution precisely; this all-spirit build has no juice to buffer over-dilution, so too much melt flattens the drink.
- Strain into a chilled coupe only after the mixing glass feels cold to the touch, ensuring the vermouth and liqueur fully integrate with the whiskey base.
- Drop a single maraschino cherry in at the end rather than muddling it, keeping the garnish as a clean visual and flavor accent.
History
The Dubliner was created in 1999 by bartender and writer Gary "Gaz" Regan in New York City as a St. Patrick's Day cocktail. It first appeared in his book The Joy of Mixology, where it was presented as a Manhattan variation built around Irish whiskey rather than rye or bourbon, with orange liqueur added alongside the sweet vermouth. The name reflects its Irish whiskey base and its intended role as a St. Patrick's Day drink honoring Ireland's capital.
FAQ
What is a Dubliner drink?
The Dubliner is an Irish whiskey cocktail built like a Manhattan, stirred with orange liqueur and sweet vermouth and finished with a dash of orange bitters. It is served up in a coupe glass with a maraschino cherry, and comes in at about 31% ABV, making it a strong, spirit-forward sipper rather than a session drink.
What liquor is in a Dubliner?
Irish whiskey is the base spirit, backed by a cognac-based orange liqueur such as Grand Marnier and a rosso (sweet) vermouth, with a dash of orange bitters. It is stirred, not shaken, and strained into a coupe glass with a maraschino cherry.
Is a Dubliner shaken or stirred?
Stirred. All the ingredients are clear spirits and fortified wine, so stirring chills and dilutes the drink while keeping it clear rather than clouding it with air, as shaking would.
What glass is a Dubliner served in?
A coupe glass, served up with no ice, garnished with a maraschino cherry.
What mixes best with Irish whiskey?
Orange-forward liqueurs and sweet vermouth both work well with Irish whiskey, which is exactly the pairing behind the Dubliner. The whiskey's malty, slightly sweet character stands up to the orange liqueur's citrus sweetness and the vermouth's herbal depth without being overpowered.
What do you drink a Dubliner with?
The Dubliner is typically served on its own as an after-dinner or evening sipping cocktail rather than paired with food or mixers, since it is already a complete, spirit-forward drink at about 31% ABV. It suits the same slow-sipping occasion as a Manhattan or Old Fashioned.
