Cocktail recipe
Man O’ War
Bourbon, orange and lemon gallop into a supple, amber sour.
Ingredients
- 60 ml (2 oz) bourbon whiskey
- 30 ml (1 oz) orange curaçao
- 15 ml (½ oz) sweet red vermouth
- 15 ml (½ oz) fresh lemon juice
- Garnish: lemon twist and 1 cocktail cherry
Preparation
Shake bourbon, curaçao, vermouth and lemon with solid ice until the edges turn brisk. Fine-strain into a chilled coupe; express the lemon peel and add a single cherry.
Glassware
Chilled coupe
History
The Man O’ War is named for the celebrated American thoroughbred that won 20 of 21 races in 1919–20. Cocktail websites often place its creation in the mid-20th century, but Difford’s historical review could not locate a period print recipe matching today’s bourbon, curaçao, vermouth and lemon combination. A 1915 drink sharing the name was entirely different. Therefore the horse tribute is a plausible naming explanation, while the specific inventor and creation date remain unverified; the modern recipe may be more recent than frequently claimed.
Mixology View
We keep the bourbon assertive and the orange liqueur dry enough to avoid candy sweetness. An evocative name is not evidence of an old recipe.