M&M Cocktail

The M&M Cocktail is a spirit-forward drink that balances the smoky and malty notes of blended Scotch with the rich sweetness of vermouth. It is further complicated by the bittersweet, chocolatey notes of Amaro Meletti and the funky, floral character of Maraschino liqueur. It's a nuanced and layered sipper, perfect for those who enjoy variations of the Manhattan or Rob Roy. The interplay between the different herbal and fruity notes creates a memorable and satisfying experience.
M&M Cocktail

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The M&M is classified as a modern classic cocktail. It is a spirit-forward, stirred drink, placing it in the same family as other aromatic cocktails like the Manhattan or Rob Roy. Its creation in the 21st century by a notable bartender solidifies its status as a modern classic.

Serving

This is a spirit-forward cocktail served cold and "up" (without ice) in a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass. It has a significant alcohol content, typical for a stirred, aromatic cocktail.
Serving size
Approx. 3.5 oz / 105 ml
Alcohol content
Approx. 28-32% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

Created by bartender Erick Castro around 2012 at his acclaimed San Diego bar, Polite Provisions. The cocktail's name, M&M, is a clever nod to two of its core ingredients: Amaro Meletti and Maraschino liqueur. It quickly gained popularity among cocktail enthusiasts for its intelligent balance and depth of flavor, becoming a staple for modern Scotch cocktails.
Origin
San Diego, USA, created by Erick Castro at Polite Provisions, circa 2012.

M&M Cocktail

The drink's name, M&M Cocktail, is a straightforward initialism. It refers to two of its primary bitter liqueur ingredients: Amaro Meletti and Luxardo Maraschino. This naming convention makes it easy to remember the key flavor components.
Original name
M&M Cocktail
Alternative name
M and M Cocktail

Characteristics overview

The M&M Cocktail presents a complex, bittersweet flavor profile with a smooth, silky texture and a warming, lingering aftertaste. Its deep amber color and aromatic orange zest make for an inviting, all-season sipping experience.
Flavor
bittersweet, complex, herbal, smoky, nutty, cherry, chocolatey
Aroma
scotch, herbal, cherry, orange zest, subtle smoke
Taste balance
balanced, bitter, sweet
Aftertaste
long, warming, bittersweet, herbal
Fizziness
none, still
Color appearance
rich amber, deep reddish-brown, clear
Texture
smooth, silky, medium-bodied
Seasonality
all-season, warming, autumnal, wintery

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is intense and led by a prominent bitterness and noticeable alcohol strength, balanced by a moderate sweetness and subtle fruit notes. It is a still, non-creamy, and non-sour drink.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires a base of blended Scotch whisky, complemented by sweet vermouth. Its signature flavor comes from two liqueurs: Amaro Meletti and Luxardo Maraschino, with orange bitters to tie it all together.
  • Blended Scotch Whisky2 oz / 60 ml
    A good quality, approachable blended Scotch like Famous Grouse or Monkey Shoulder works well.
  • Sweet Vermouth0.75 oz / 22.5 ml
    A quality Italian-style sweet vermouth like Carpano Antica Formula or Cocchi di Torino is recommended.
  • Amaro Meletti0.25 oz / 7.5 ml
    This specific amaro is key to the recipe's profile, providing saffron and chocolate notes.
  • Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur0.25 oz / 7.5 ml
    Adds a distinct floral and nutty complexity that is hard to substitute.
  • Orange Bitters2 dashes
    Helps to bridge the other flavors together. Regan's No. 6 or Angostura Orange Bitters are good choices.
  • Orange Peel1 piece
    For garnish. Expressing the oils over the drink is crucial for the aroma.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need standard bar equipment for a stirred cocktail: a mixing glass, a bar spoon for stirring with ice, a jigger for measuring, and a strainer.
  • Mixing Glass: For combining and chilling the ingredients.
  • Bar Spoon: For stirring the cocktail properly.
  • Jigger: For accurate measurement of ingredients.
  • Hawthorne or Julep Strainer: For straining the chilled liquid into the glass.

Instructions

The M&M is a stirred cocktail, meaning all ingredients are combined in a mixing glass with ice, stirred until chilled, and then strained into a chilled coupe glass. The final touch is expressing an orange peel over the top for aroma.
1. Place your coupe or Nick & Nora glass in the freezer to chill.
2. Add the blended Scotch, sweet vermouth, Amaro Meletti, Maraschino liqueur, and orange bitters to a mixing glass.
3. Fill the mixing glass two-thirds full with large, solid ice cubes.
4. Stir the mixture with a bar spoon for approximately 20-30 seconds until it is well-chilled and properly diluted.
5. Retrieve your chilled glass from the freezer.
6. Using a strainer, pour the contents of the mixing glass into the chilled coupe.
7. Take a fresh orange peel, hold it over the drink with the colored side facing down, and squeeze it to express the aromatic oils over the surface. You can then drop the peel into the drink or discard it.

Garnishing

The essential garnish is an orange peel. The aromatic oils expressed over the drink's surface are critical to the cocktail's overall sensory experience.
  • Orange Peel: Express the oils from a fresh orange peel over the surface of the drink and then drop it in or discard.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is vegan and free from dairy, eggs, and caffeine. However, as it is made with Scotch whisky derived from grains, it is not considered gluten-free.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✕ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail contains around 210 calories per serving, primarily from the alcohol. The carbohydrate and sugar content, deriving from the vermouth and liqueurs, is relatively low at about 9 grams.
Calories
Approximately 200-220 kcal / 837-920 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 8-10g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 8-10g
Sugar level

Occasions

This is an ideal cocktail for slow, contemplative sipping in the evening. Its complexity also makes it a wonderful after-dinner digestif. It's a sophisticated choice for a cocktail party or when exploring a well-stocked bar menu.
  • Evening Sipping
  • After Dinner Drink
  • Cocktail Bar Visit

Pairing suggestions

The bittersweet and complex profile of the M&M Cocktail pairs wonderfully with savory and rich foods. It stands up well to the saltiness of cured meats and aged cheeses. For a dessert pairing, the subtle chocolate notes in the drink are beautifully complemented by a piece of high-quality dark chocolate.
  • Aged Cheeses (like sharp cheddar or gouda)
  • Charcuterie and Cured Meats
  • Dark Chocolate
  • Roasted or Smoked Nuts

The M&M Cocktail: A Modern Masterpiece of Bittersweet Balance

The M&M Cocktail is a modern classic that beautifully showcases the potential of a Scotch-based Manhattan variation. Created by Erick Castro, it gets its name from Amaro Meletti and Maraschino liqueur, which add layers of complex bitterness and subtle fruitiness to the Scotch and vermouth base. This spirit-forward, stirred cocktail is perfectly balanced, making it an ideal choice for an evening sipper or a sophisticated after-dinner drink. Its rich, amber hue and elegant presentation in a chilled coupe make it as visually appealing as it is delicious to taste.

Similar Cocktails

Rob Roy

The classic predecessor, made simply with Scotch, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters.

Manhattan

Features a similar structure, but uses rye or bourbon instead of Scotch, and typically only Angostura bitters.

Black Manhattan

Another modern classic that uses Averna amaro in place of the sweet vermouth, creating a darker, more bitter profile.

Brooklyn

A more complex cousin with rye, dry vermouth, Maraschino liqueur, and an amaro like Picon or Ramazzotti.

Little Italy

A Manhattan variation with Cynar, adding an artichoke-based bitterness to the rye and sweet vermouth base.

Red Hook

A riff on the Brooklyn using rye whiskey, Punt e Mes (a bitter vermouth), and Maraschino liqueur.

Vieux Carré

A highly complex New Orleans classic featuring rye, cognac, sweet vermouth, Bénédictine, and two types of bitters.

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