Bols Imperial- 1.25 oz @Bolsgenever @BolsPDX, 1.25 oz Lillet, dash each marschno,orange &ango bitter

1.25 oz. Bols Genever
1.25 oz. Lillet
Dash maraschino (Luxardo)
Dash angostura
Dash orange bitters (homemade)

The cocktail above was a riff of The Imperial Cocktail ( recipe and photo below) from The Savoy Cocktail Book. The nose was classic Genever mead. It had a slightly spicy finish from the warm spices of cinnamon, ceylon, and the grains from the genever combined with the faintest hint of maraschino made for a very well-balanced cocktail. The bitters helped to tame the sweetness of the Lillet, as well as bring out the orange notes. The Lillet was much tamer than the vermouth, and represented just enough sweetness.

1.25 oz. Bols Genever
1.25 oz. Vermouth (Dolin)
Dash angostura
Dash maraschino (Luxardo)

The drink has a botanical juniper nose.fruit forward sip.
Greater sweetness level but sharper, not as smooth. Not a bad thing, just a different drink.

Orange Blossom Special

This cocktail takes the name of a favorite bluegrass tune, and goes down just as sweet…(if you like the sound of a banjo that is)

1.5 oz Bols Genever
3/4 oz Lillet
3/4 oz Orange Juice
1/4 oz Orange Liquer (Citronge)
1 dash homemade orange bitters
3 drop orange blossom water

Shake with ice. Strain.

Malty and orange nose. Bitter notes from orange blossom water, Lillet, and of course, bitters. Little liqueur needed, as sweetness from other ingredients balanced out in a dangerously smooth cocktail