ice cubesfor chilling the glass and for the shaker
1 1/2ouncesgood-quality bourbon
or your favorite rye whiskey
1ounceCointreau or other orange liqueur
1/2ouncesweet vermouth
1/2ouncefreshly squeezed lemon juice
For Garnish:
Brandied cherry
Lemon peel
Instructions
Chill The Glass: Fill a coupe glass with ice and water and set aside.
Make The Man O' War Cocktail: Add the bourbon (or rye or whiskey), Cointreau, sweet vermouth, and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker. Fill halfway with ice. Close and shake until it is thoroughly chilled (almost too cold to touch), at least 20 seconds. Taste and add more lemon if you want it more tart or more Cointreau if you want it sweeter.
Serve The Man O' War Cocktail: Dump the ice water from the coupe glass. Strain the cocktail into the glass. Spear a brandied cherries and a bit of lemon peel onto a few cocktail toothpicks and garnish the glass. Serve.