Remember the Maine

The Remember the Maine is a sophisticated and boozy cocktail that offers a delightful complexity of flavors. It builds upon a spicy rye whiskey base, softened by the sweetness of Italian vermouth and the subtle fruitiness of cherry liqueur. A dash of absinthe provides an intriguing herbal and anise-like aroma and finish, elevating the drink beyond a simple Manhattan variation. It's a perfect slow-sipper for those who appreciate classic, spirit-forward cocktails.
Remember the Maine

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Remember the Maine is a classic cocktail, typically served as an apéritif or a sophisticated evening drink. It belongs to the family of stirred, spirit-forward drinks similar to the Manhattan. Its complex flavor profile also makes it a suitable digestif.

Serving

Served chilled and "straight up" in a pre-chilled Coupe or Nick & Nora glass, this is a spirit-forward drink with a significant but well-integrated alcoholic presence.
Serving size
Approximately 90-100 ml / 3-3.5 oz
Alcohol content
Estimated 28-32% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe or Nick & Nora
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

The drink is named after the U.S.S. Maine, a battleship that exploded in Havana Harbor in 1898, an event that precipitated the Spanish-American War. The rallying cry "Remember the Maine, to hell with Spain!" became famous. The recipe first appeared in Charles H. Baker, Jr.'s 1939 cocktail book, "The Gentleman's Companion."
Origin
United States, first published in 1939. The name refers to an 1898 historical event, placing its inspiration at the turn of the 20th century.

Remember the Maine

The cocktail is almost universally known by its full name, "Remember the Maine." While sometimes referred to as the Maine Cocktail, this is uncommon. The original name is the standard and most recognized identifier for this classic drink.
Original name
Remember the Maine
Alternative name
Maine Cocktail

Characteristics overview

This cocktail presents a complex flavor profile with spicy rye, sweet vermouth, and herbal notes from cherry liqueur and absinthe, culminating in a long, warming finish. Its appearance is a clear, inviting reddish-amber, with a smooth and silky texture.
Flavor
Herbal, spicy, sweet, complex, cherry, anise, rye spice
Aroma
Herbal, anise, whiskey, sweet vermouth, spice
Taste balance
Sweet, bitter, herbal
Aftertaste
Long, warming, herbal, anise finish
Fizziness
Still, none
Color appearance
Deep amber, reddish-brown, clear
Texture
Silky, smooth, rich
Seasonality
Warming, autumnal, wintery, suitable for all seasons

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is intense and spirit-forward, with a complex balance of sweetness from the vermouth, bitterness, and herbal spice. The alcohol strength is prominent but smoothly integrated into the overall taste profile.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This drink requires four key alcoholic components: a spicy rye whiskey base, sweet Italian vermouth, a rich cherry liqueur, and a small amount of absinthe for an aromatic finish. No non-alcoholic mixers are used.
  • Rye Whiskey60 ml / 2 oz
    A bold, spicy rye with at least 95-100 proof works best.
  • Sweet Vermouth22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    A quality Italian-style sweet vermouth is recommended.
  • Cherry Liqueur7.5 ml / 0.25 oz
    Cherry Heering is the classic choice for its rich flavor.
  • Absinthe1 bar spoon or rinse / ~2.5 ml
    Used to rinse the glass for an aromatic essence, not as a main ingredient.

Ice type

  • Cubed ice for stirring

Mixing equipments

You will need a standard stirring set: a mixing glass, a jigger for precise measurements, a bar spoon for stirring, and a strainer to serve the drink neatly without ice.
  • Mixing glass for combining and chilling the ingredients.
  • Bar spoon for stirring the cocktail.
  • Jigger for measuring ingredients.
  • Cocktail strainer (Julep or Hawthorne) for pouring into the glass.

Instructions

The preparation involves rinsing a chilled glass with absinthe, then stirring the whiskey, vermouth, and cherry liqueur with ice until cold. Finally, strain the chilled liquid into the prepared glass and garnish with a lemon twist.
1. Place your serving glass (Coupe or Nick & Nora) in the freezer to chill for at least 10 minutes.
2. Pour the absinthe into the chilled glass, swirl it around to coat the entire inner surface, then discard any excess liquid.
3. Fill a mixing glass with cubed ice.
4. Add the rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and cherry liqueur to the mixing glass.
5. Stir with a bar spoon for 20-30 seconds until the outside of the mixing glass is frosty and the drink is well-chilled and properly diluted.
6. Strain the cocktail into your prepared, absinthe-rinsed glass.
7. Take a lemon peel, twist it over the drink to express its oils onto the surface, and then drop it into the glass as a garnish.

Garnishing

The standard garnish is a lemon twist, with its oils expressed over the surface to add a bright citrus aroma. A high-quality brandied cherry can also be used as an alternative.
  • Lemon twist, express the oils over the drink and use as garnish.
  • Brandied cherry (optional alternative), dropped into the glass.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is typically caffeine-free, dairy-free, and egg-free. It is not considered gluten-free due to the rye whiskey base, which is distilled from gluten-containing grains.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✕ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a spirit-forward cocktail with moderate calories, primarily from the alcohol and the sugar in the vermouth and liqueur. It contains around 180-220 kcal and 8-10g of carbohydrates per serving.
Calories
Averagely 180-220 kcal / 750-920 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 8-10 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 7-9 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This is an excellent choice for a sophisticated cocktail party or as a contemplative evening sipper. It can be enjoyed both before dinner as an apéritif to stimulate the appetite or after a meal as a flavorful digestif.
  • Cocktail Party
  • Evening Drink
  • Apéritif
  • Digestif

Pairing suggestions

The rich, complex flavors of the Remember the Maine pair well with savory and strong-flavored foods. Consider serving it with a charcuterie board, aged cheeses, or a piece of high-quality dark chocolate for a sophisticated pairing. It also complements the saltiness of olives and roasted nuts.
  • Cured meats and charcuterie boards
  • Strong cheeses like aged cheddar or blue cheese
  • Dark chocolate
  • Salted and roasted nuts

Remember the Maine: A Taste of History in a Glass

The Remember the Maine is a classic, spirit-forward cocktail that is both potent and nuanced. It masterfully blends the spiciness of rye whiskey with the sweetness of vermouth and cherry liqueur, all tied together with an aromatic whisper of absinthe. This sophisticated sipper is a close relative of the Manhattan but offers a more complex, herbal profile. It's an excellent choice for connoisseurs of classic cocktails looking for something rich, warming, and steeped in history.

Similar Cocktails

Manhattan

Uses rye or bourbon, sweet vermouth, and aromatic bitters, omitting the cherry liqueur and absinthe for a more straightforward, classic profile.

Vieux Carré

A more complex New Orleans classic that adds Cognac and Bénédictine Liqueur to a rye, vermouth, and bitters base.

Sazerac

Features a rye and absinthe combination, but omits vermouth and liqueur in favor of a sugar cube and Peychaud's bitters.

You May Also Like

Mezcal and Tonic

A smoky, crisp, and refreshing highball that swaps gin for mezcal in a delightful twist on the classic G&T.

Godfather

A simple yet sophisticated cocktail made with Scotch whisky and amaretto, known for its smooth, nutty, and slightly sweet flavor profile.

Vegas Bomb

A high-energy bomb shot where a mixed shot of Canadian whisky, peach schnapps, and cranberry juice is dropped into a glass of energy drink.

Mayahuel Cocktail

A vibrant, floral, and tart tequila cocktail balanced with elderflower liqueur and hibiscus syrup.

Have You Tried These Yet?

Improved Chartreuse Cocktail

A complex, aromatic, and herbaceous gin cocktail featuring Green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and a fragrant absinthe rinse.

Angel Face

A perfectly balanced, spirit-forward classic cocktail with notes of apple, apricot, and juniper.

Abbey Cocktail

A crisp and elegant gin-based cocktail with floral notes from Lillet Blanc and a hint of citrus.

Lion Cocktail

A bright, citrus-forward classic gin sour elegantly balanced with the orange notes of Grand Marnier.