Happy 2020 drinkers! I’m sure the majority of you are holding onto the last vestiges of your holiday breaks from various jobs. Let’s easy back into reality with a nice sherry based cocktail shall we? Once again, we’re consulting Meehan’s Bartender Manual. Meehan has a recipe for a very simple and light cocktail called the Bamboo. According to the manual, the Bamboo looks and tastes like a cocktail, but since it’s sherry based, the ABV is closer to that of a glass of wine, so in my opinion, it is a nice touch to end a holiday season filled with heavy meals, and presumably lots and lots of booze. TO THE BAR!

Bamboo:

1.5 oz Dolin blanc vermouth

1.5 oz Lustau palo cortado sherry

2 dashes Angostura bitters

1 dash Regan’s orange bitters

Stir with ice, then strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with a lemon twist.

A little housekeeping before we begin: I swapped the sherry for Taylor Cream sherry, and the vermouth I used was Martini & Rossi vermouth blanco. Now, that that is out of the way, onto the finished product. The first thing you notice when sipping is how sherry forward it is.  It’s sweet, but the twist of lemon shining about midway through keeps it in check. The lemon flavor continues its flavor all the way through the end. The blanco vermouth does get a little lost flavor wise. It seems to play more of a backup role to the vermouth and lemon. Visually, it certainly looks like any regular cocktail would. Your mind (liver) thinks that there must be whiskey in this, and be strong like a whiskey cocktail would be, but the low ABV from the sherry and vermouth makes it enjoyable in smaller, or larger numbers if you so choose.

This bright, crisp and light drink is a great way to enjoy a cocktail that is a nice respite from a few weeks of over the top, rich, and full bodied foods. Here’s hoping you all have a great year, filled with plenty of delicious cocktails.

(Banner image found here)