Five classic winter cocktails to make at home

An article by article by Cas Oh for Spectator Life featuring the recipes and histories of 5 classic winter cocktails to try at home, including the Boulevardier, the Adonis and the ever popular Hot Buttered Rum. 

An excerpt from the feature — the Adonis:

"As distinguished readers of the Spectator would know, sherry’s reputation as the saccharin atrocity, shunted to the back of the larder, kept at room temperature for decades, and wheeled out once in a blue moon to be served in lilliputian wine glasses, is anachronistic and unjust. Sherry is as complex as any wine, and has thankfully been receiving the recognition it deserves in recent times.

It also shows great versatility as a cocktail ingredient, as showcased in this cracking sherry cocktail, the Adonis. A wonderfully dry, low alcohol cocktail, it was named after the very first Broadway musical in 1884. The show starred Henry E. Dixey in the role of Adonis, and ran for more than 600 performances. As with all the greats it’s simple in its constitution, easy to make, and even easier to quaff. Chin chin."

Recipe:

• 50ml dry sherry (Fino or Manzanilla)
• 25ml sweet vermouth
• 2 dashes orange bitters

Method: Stir ingredients with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange twist.