Bamboo Cocktail Recipe: A Classic & Easy Mix

Intermediate

20 minutes

4 Steps

9 Items

About This Project

To prepare a Bamboo Cocktail, first fill a mixing glass with ice. Then add 1.5 ounces of dry sherry, 1.5 ounces of dry vermouth, and 2 dashes of orange bitters to the mixing glass. Stir the mixture with a bar spoon for about 15-20 seconds. Finally, strain the cocktail into a chilled cocktail glass.

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Stesso - Bull In China

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Best for homeowners and DIY enthusiasts with familiarity with power tools.

Tools & Materials

Artisan Series Mixing Glass - BIC Originals

Ice Maker for Clear Spheres

Japanese-Style Jigger

Dehydrated Blood Orange Slice Garnish by Dehy

Angostura bitters

Orange Bitters

Artisan Series Mixing Glass - BIC Originals

Handblown in the Pacific NW, this gorgeous mixing glass inspired the creation of our company back in 2014. Our Artisan Mixing Glasses are just as functional as they are beautiful. We think this one-of-a-kind vessel bridges the line between sophisticated equipment and functional art. It will surely become your favorite (if not only) mixing glass once you see it in person. They're incredibly durable, made to handle huge temperature swings without cracking, and have a smooth, seamless interior (a necessity for any quality mixing glass). The exterior pattern is naturally occurring from the glass cooling, so no two are alike. <h4>So what makes the Artisan different than our Flagship?</h4> The Artisan series glass is made locally in the classic Venetian Hand-blown style. This is where our glassblower takes a fiery hot glob of glass and blows it up through a pipe like a balloon into our mold (much easier said than done). Once we remove it from the mold, instead of allowing the glass to cool naturally which would cause a smooth exterior surface, we shock it with cold water while it’s still semi-molten, creating that beautiful effect on the outside. It then goes through a slow annealing process, which means it heats up and cools down over a 48 hour period, making the glass pretty impervious to temperature changes thereafter. It’s also one of the heavier mixing glasses out there, which makes it that much sturdier in the face of danger. Liquid capacity is ~22 oz / 650ml. Works with a standard julep strainer or Hawthorne strainer. *Because of the handmade nature of this product, there may be slight variations from glass to glass. We like to think this adds character. Also available in <a href="https://bull-in-china-pdx.myshopify.com/collections/special-gift-and-startup-sets" style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;">The Bull In China Originals Stirred Cocktail Set</a>.

Ice Maker for Clear Spheres

Finally, an easy method for making clear ice balls! Cloudy ice is caused by ice freezing from the outside-in causing air to be trapped within the ice. The Clearsphere system uses a directional freezing method to control the direction that water freezes, pushing all the air out of the ice ball. - Makes two (2) 2.5 inch ice spheres - Molds are BPA free and dishwasher safe - Stackable - 5 piece system Includes silicone ice ball mold, insulated freezing chamber, and integrated ice ball storage box. Directions: 1) Place plastic tub into foam box, fill with warm water to the inner fill line. 2) Combine two silicone molds and slowly push completely down and water overlows. 3) Place upright in freezer for 24-30 hours. 4) Remove from freezer and let it rest for 5 minutes. Peel out mold by pulling on both of handles on one of the ends. Repeat on other side. 5) Separate the silicone molds - serve or store for later.

Japanese-Style Jigger

Elegant design and a bartender favorite, this Japanese-style jigger measures 1 oz and 2 oz pours. Our version comes in seven finishes: Silver, Copper, Gold, Gunmetal Black, Matte Black, Antique Brass, and Rainbow Chrome. Each one has internal measures (.25, .5oz and .75oz on the 1oz side; 1.5oz on the 2oz side). THAT'S RIGHT! We have a 1/4 oz line! While our silver version is perfectly dishwasher safe, we recommend handwashing any of the other finishes to prolong the life of those coatings.

Dehydrated Blood Orange Slice Garnish by Dehy

No cocktail is complete without a gorgeous garnish and our friends at <a href="https://www.dehygarnish.com">Dehy</a> in Austin, TX make some of the best additions to truly elevate an everyday beverage to something special. Each packet includes six (6) perfectly center cut slices, offering unmatched garnish consistency. If kept in a dry and cool place, these garnishes should last indefinitely.

Angostura bitters

angostura bitters

Orange Bitters

Orange is a classic bitters flavor that doesn’t get the attention it deserves. I know you’re not supposed to have favorites among your children, but I have to admit I find myself reaching for Orange Bitters more than any other flavor. It’s bright, full of flavor, and familiar in a way that inspires you to play with it. I wanted to create something that was different than the other orange bitters available, so we pack these full of fresh navel orange peel, about one orange per bottle, keep the baking spices subtle and on the earthy side, and add earl grey tea for an unexpected floral note. Try these recipes: <a title="Celtic Scoundrel" href="https://thebitterhousewife.com/blogs/news/celtic-scoundrel">Celtic Scoundrel </a><a title="Rosé Sangria" href="https://thebitterhousewife.com/blogs/news/rose-sangria">Rosé Sangria </a><a title="Earl Grey Spritz" href="https://thebitterhousewife.com/blogs/news/earl-grey-spritz">Earl Grey Spritz </a><a title="Garden Gin and Tonic" href="https://thebitterhousewife.com/blogs/news/garden-gin-and-tonic">Garden Gin and Tonic </a><a title="Vermouth Berry Cobbler" href="https://thebitterhousewife.com/blogs/news/vermouth-berry-cobbler">Vermouth Berry Cobbler</a> Goes as well with whiskey as it does gin and everything in between. Make your Margarita richer, your Old Fashioned more playful, or your Martini a standout. Ingredients: Alcohol, water, organic sugar, orange peel, earl grey tea leaves, cardamom, allspice, gentian, quassia.

Steps

Fill mixing glass with ice

30 mins

Fill a mixing glass with ice.

Watch: Ice Addition

Add ingredients

1 min

Add 1.5 ounces of dry sherry, 1.5 ounces of dry vermouth, and 2 dashes of orange bitters to the mixing glass.

Watch: Ingredient Addition

Stir mixture

20 mins

Stir the mixture well with a bar spoon for about 15-20 seconds.

Watch: Stirring

Strain cocktail

30 mins

Strain the cocktail into a chilled cocktail glass.

Watch: Straining and Serving

Common Problems

Your cocktail tastes watery or too diluted.

Solution: If your drink is already made, there's not much to fix beyond adding a bit more of the spirits if it's overwhelmingly watery. For your next drink, try using colder ingredients and stirring for a slightly shorter duration if the ice is melting very fast. If the ice spheres are melting quickly, consider using standard cubed ice from your freezer, which can sometimes be colder and denser.

Prevention: Always pre-chill your mixing glass and cocktail glass in the freezer or with ice water. Use fresh, high-quality, dense ice (like from your clear ice maker) in your mixing glass. Ensure all your liquid ingredients (sherry, vermouth) are stored in a cool place, like the refrigerator, before use. Stir only for the recommended 15-20 seconds, or until properly chilled, but not longer.

Your cocktail is not cold enough when served.

Solution: If the drink is already in your serving glass, quickly add a large, fresh ice cube (if suitable for the drink type, though not traditional for this cocktail) and stir briefly with your bar spoon. For the next cocktail, ensure your mixing glass has ample ice, and stir for the full 20 seconds, or until the outside of the mixing glass feels very cold to the touch. Make sure your serving glass is properly chilled.

Prevention: Always start with a thoroughly chilled cocktail glass (place it in the freezer for at least 15 minutes or fill it with ice and a little water while you prepare the drink). Use plenty of fresh ice in your mixing glass. Don't skimp on the stirring time; 15-20 seconds is crucial for proper chilling without excessive dilution.

Small ice chips or bits of pulp appear in your finished cocktail.

Solution: If it's already in the glass, you can gently try to skim them off with a bar spoon, but it might be difficult. For future drinks, ensure your Hawthorne strainer is properly fitted. Check that the coil of the strainer is pressed tightly against the rim of the mixing glass, creating a snug seal. If your strainer is bent or damaged, it might not be forming a good seal.

Prevention: Before straining, ensure your Hawthorne strainer is clean and its coil is intact. Place the strainer over the mixing glass so its 'wings' rest on the rim, then push down slightly to ensure the coil forms a tight barrier against the glass. Hold it firmly in place with one hand as you pour the cocktail into the chilled glass.

The cocktail tastes off because the ingredient proportions are wrong (e.g., too much sherry, not enough vermouth).

Solution: Unfortunately, once the ingredients are mixed, it's hard to correct exact proportions without making the drink taste even more unbalanced. It's often best to discard and restart if the proportions are significantly off. For your next attempt, re-read the measurements carefully.

Prevention: Always use your Japanese-Style Jigger to precisely measure each ingredient. Ensure you fill the jigger to the correct marking for 1.5 ounces for both the dry sherry and dry vermouth. Read the measurement at eye level to avoid parallax errors. Double-check the recipe before pouring each ingredient.

Your mixing glass or cocktail glass breaks during preparation or serving.

Solution: Immediately stop what you're doing. Carefully and thoroughly clean up all broken glass pieces using gloves, a dustpan, and a brush or a vacuum cleaner. Ensure no glass shards remain on the counter, floor, or in any ingredients. Dispose of the broken glass safely in a designated container.

Prevention: Handle all glassware, especially the Artisan Series Mixing Glass and Neat Pour Glass, with care. Avoid clanking the bar spoon forcefully against the inside of the mixing glass. Do not subject glassware to extreme temperature changes too quickly (e.g., pouring very hot water into a frozen glass, though less likely for this cocktail). Place glassware gently on surfaces, rather than dropping or setting down hard.

You make a mess with spills during pouring or stirring.

Solution: Immediately wipe up any liquid spills with a towel to prevent slips and keep your workspace clean. If ingredients spilled into the cocktail during mixing (e.g., a bottle fell), it's best to discard and restart.

Prevention: Work on a clear, uncluttered surface, ideally over a bar mat or a towel. Pour ingredients slowly and deliberately, ensuring the jigger is positioned over the mixing glass. When stirring, keep the bar spoon's movement controlled within the mixing glass. When straining, keep the mixing glass and serving glass close together and pour steadily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need all the specialized tools listed, like a Japanese-Style Jigger or an Artisan Series Mixing Glass, to make a Bamboo Cocktail?

While professional tools enhance the experience, you can start with alternatives. A standard shot glass or measuring spoons work for a jigger, any sturdy glass serves as a mixing glass, and a kitchen strainer can substitute for a Hawthorne strainer. Using regular ice cubes is also perfectly acceptable instead of clear spheres.

The estimated time is 20 minutes, but the stirring only takes 15-20 seconds. What accounts for the longer duration?

The 20-minute estimate includes the entire process from start to finish. This covers gathering your ingredients, chilling your cocktail glass, precise measuring, the short mixing time, and the final straining. It also accounts for potential minor adjustments or cleaning up your workspace afterward.

How can I ensure my Bamboo Cocktail is perfectly chilled and not diluted too much?

Always pre-chill your serving glass thoroughly, ideally by placing it in the freezer or filling it with ice water while you mix. Use fresh, high-quality ice in your mixing glass and stir for the recommended 15-20 seconds. This duration ensures optimal chilling with minimal dilution before straining into your pre-chilled glass.

Can I use sweeter varieties of sherry or vermouth if I don't have 'dry' types on hand?

For an authentic Bamboo Cocktail, 'dry' sherry (like Fino or Manzanilla) and 'dry' vermouth are crucial for the intended crisp, savory profile. Using sweeter varieties would significantly alter the balance, resulting in a much sweeter and less traditional drink. It's best to stick to dry options for this specific recipe.

Are there any specific safety precautions I should take while preparing this cocktail at home?

When working with glass tools and glassware, always handle them carefully to avoid breakage and potential cuts. Ensure you have a stable, non-slip surface for mixing to prevent spills. Remember to consume alcohol responsibly and keep all your cocktail tools clean for hygiene.

What exactly is dry sherry, and why is it specifically chosen for a Bamboo Cocktail?

Dry sherry, typically Fino or Manzanilla, is a fortified wine known for its crisp, nutty, and slightly briny notes, with no residual sugar. It's chosen for the Bamboo Cocktail to provide a savory, complex base that perfectly complements the dry vermouth and bitters, creating a balanced and aperitif-style drink, unlike sweeter sherries.

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