Shrapnel

Maybe it was the odd name, but something made me try this one even though it seemed like just another Perfect Manhattan with an addition. The addition is apricot brandy, which I like with whiskey, and it goes with corn and fruit notes in bourbon especially. I thought the vermouth would dry it down some and round it out, but the version in the CocktailDB is too light and sweet for me with only a mere one and a quarter ounces of spirits. As it often goes with so many of life’s minor difficulties, the solution was to add a bit more bourbon.



Shrapnel

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1/2 oz sweet vermouth
• 1/2 oz dry vermouth
• 1/4 oz apricot brandy

Stir with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Orange twist.
SOURCE: ADAPTED FROM A RECIPE IN THE COCKTAILDB

There was an orange slice garnish but it wasn’t doing much except looking pretty, so it became a twist and contributed to the flavor profile. Upping the bourbon didn’t hurt the punch-like fruit notes and turned this into more of a grownup drink.