Remember the Alamo

Name: Remember the Alamo
Prep time: 3 min
Total time: 3 min
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients: 45 ml / 1.5 oz Rye Whiskey; 22.5 ml / 0.75 oz Amaro Lucano; 22.5 ml / 0.75 oz Oloroso Sherry; 1 dash Angostura Bitters

Ingredients Instructions

The Remember the Alamo is a complex and contemplative sipper perfect for whiskey lovers. The spicy backbone of rye whiskey is beautifully complemented by the bittersweet herbal notes of Amaro Lucano. Oloroso sherry adds a layer of nutty, raisin-like sweetness and depth, while a dash of Angostura bitters ties all the elements together into a harmonious whole.

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time

Difficulty

Drink Classification

This drink is classified as a modern classic cocktail. It falls into the category of stirred, spirit-forward drinks, similar in style to a Manhattan or a Vieux Carré.

Serving

Served chilled and 'up' (without ice) in a pre-chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass, this is a strong, spirit-forward drink.

Serving size

Approx. 90 ml / 3 oz (before dilution)

Alcohol content

Approximately 28-32% ABV

Alcohol strength

Serving temperature

Cold

Glass type

Coupe

Glass treatment

Chilled

Backstory

Created at the West Village cocktail bar Little Branch in New York City, this drink is a modern classic riff on the "Remember the Maine" cocktail. It follows a tradition of naming robust, whiskey-based drinks after historical battles or slogans. The drink quickly gained favor among bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts for its balanced complexity and memorable flavor profile.

Origin

Created at Little Branch, New York City, USA, in the early 2000s.

Remember the Alamo

The drink is consistently known by its original name, 'Remember the Alamo', and does not have common alternative names.

Original name

Remember the Alamo

Characteristics overview

This is a rich and silky cocktail with a deep amber hue, offering a complex, bittersweet flavor profile with a long, warming finish. Its aromas of orange and spice make it feel particularly suited for cooler weather.

Flavor

Spicy, bittersweet, nutty, dried fruit, herbal, complex, whiskey-forward

Aroma

Orange oil, baking spices, rye grain, dark caramel, sherry funk

Taste balance

Bittersweet, spirituous

Aftertaste

Long, warming, herbal, spicy

Fizziness

None

Color appearance

Deep amber, mahogany, clear

Texture

Silky, smooth, rich

Seasonality

Warming, autumnal, wintery, year-round sipper

Flavor intensity & Experience

This is a flavor-intensive drink, characterized by a prominent alcohol presence, moderate bitterness, and subtle sweetness. It is not sour, spicy, or creamy, delivering a bold and complex taste.

Sweetness

Saltiness

Sourness

Bitterness

Spiciness

Fruitiness

Creaminess

Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires three key spirits: Rye Whiskey, Amaro Lucano, and Oloroso Sherry. A dash of Angostura bitters completes the recipe.

Rye Whiskey45 ml / 1.5 oz
A high-rye or 100-proof rye adds a pleasant spicy character.
Amaro Lucano22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
If unavailable, another bittersweet Italian amaro like Amaro Montenegro or Ramazzotti can be substituted, though it will alter the profile.
Oloroso Sherry22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
Adds nutty and dried fruit notes. Do not substitute with a dry Fino or sweet PX sherry.
Angostura Bitters1 dash
Essential for binding the flavors together.

Ice type

Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need standard stirring equipment: a mixing glass, a bar spoon, a jigger, and a strainer. This drink is stirred, not shaken.

Mixing glass for stirring the cocktail
Bar spoon for stirring
Jigger for measuring ingredients
Strainer (Julep or Hawthorne) for straining into the glass

Instructions

To prepare, chill a coupe glass, then combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Stir until chilled, then strain into the prepared glass and garnish with an expressed orange twist.

1. Chill your serving glass (a coupe or Nick & Nora) by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer.

2. Add all ingredients—rye whiskey, Amaro Lucano, Oloroso sherry, and a dash of Angostura bitters—to a mixing glass.

3. Fill the mixing glass with large, cold ice cubes.

4. Stir briskly with a bar spoon for about 20-25 seconds until well-chilled and properly diluted.

5. Empty the ice from your chilled serving glass.

6. Strain the contents of the mixing glass into the chilled serving glass.

7. Take a fresh orange peel, express its oils over the surface of the drink by squeezing it pith-side down, then drop it into the glass as a garnish.

Garnishing

Garnish with a fresh orange twist. Expressing the orange oils over the surface of the drink before garnishing adds a crucial aromatic dimension.

Orange twist: Express the oils over the drink's surface and drop it in or place it on the rim.

Dietary Information

This drink is typically dairy-free, egg-free, and vegan. However, due to the rye whiskey, it may not be suitable for those with severe gluten sensitivities, and the sherry's nutty notes could be a consideration for some allergies.

✓ Contains alcohol

✓ Caffeine-free

✓ Dairy-free

✓ Egg-free

✓ Soy-free

✕ Nut-free

✕ Gluten-free

✓ Vegan-friendly

✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail contains approximately 210-240 calories per serving, with around 10 grams of carbohydrates, almost all of which are sugars from the amaro and sherry.

Calories

Averagely 210-240 kcal / 880-1000 kJ

Calories level

Carbohydrates

Averagely 10-12 g

Carbohydrate level

Sugar

Averagely 9-11 g

Sugar level

Occasions

This is an ideal cocktail for a relaxed evening, perfect for sipping slowly. It serves wonderfully as a pre-dinner aperitif or a contemplative after-dinner digestif.

Evening Sipping
Cocktail Hour
After Dinner Drink
Cozy Night In

Pairing suggestions

The complex, bittersweet profile of the Remember the Alamo pairs well with savory and rich foods. It's excellent alongside a charcuterie board, aged cheeses, or simply a bowl of high-quality olives or smoked almonds.

Cured meats and charcuterie boards
Hard, aged cheeses like Parmesan or aged Gouda
Dark chocolate
Smoked nuts or olives

Remember the Alamo: A Modern Classic Sipper

The Remember the Alamo is a stellar example of a modern classic cocktail that feels timeless. It's a spirit-forward drink that rewards slow sipping, revealing layers of spicy rye, bittersweet herbs, and nutty sherry with each taste. Perfect for enthusiasts of drinks like the Manhattan or Boulevardier, it offers a unique and satisfying complexity that is both elegant and bold. A true connoisseur's cocktail, it's a testament to balanced, thoughtful mixology.