Sicilian Vespers

The Sicilian Vespers is a complex and contemplative cocktail that swaps the floral notes of Lillet Blanc in a traditional Vesper for the bittersweet, herbal character of Averna amaro. This substitution transforms the drink, giving it a deep, rich flavor profile with hints of orange, licorice, and caramel. It's a stirred, spirit-forward drink perfect for those who appreciate a bitter edge in their cocktails. The result is a sophisticated and moody interpretation of a beloved classic.
Sicilian Vespers

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Sicilian Vespers is classified as a Modern Classic cocktail, belonging to the spirit-forward Martini family. It is typically served as an aperitif, designed to be enjoyed before a meal. Its composition makes it a sophisticated choice within the craft cocktail category.

Serving

Serve this potent, spirit-forward cocktail straight up in a pre-chilled coupe or martini glass. It's a strong drink meant for sipping and enjoying slowly.
Serving size
Approximately 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 by bartender Thomas Waugh in 2009 at the influential New York City bar Death & Co, the Sicilian Vespers is a prime example of the modern craft cocktail movement's embrace of amari. The name is a clever play on the "Sicilian Vespers," a 13th-century rebellion, and the Vesper Martini from Ian Fleming's "Casino Royale." Waugh's creation expertly balances the botanicals of gin, the clean profile of vodka, and the deep complexity of Averna into a new classic.
Origin
Created in 2009 by Thomas Waugh at Death & Co bar in New York City, USA.

Sicilian Vespers

The name "Sicilian Vespers" is a clever pun, referencing both a historical Sicilian revolt and the cocktail's base, the Vesper Martini. Its key ingredient, Averna, is a well-known Sicilian amaro, making the name a perfect fit. Alternative names like "Averna Vesper" are more direct, clearly indicating the substitution that defines this modern classic.
Original name
Sicilian Vespers
Alternative names
  • Averna Vesper
  • Sicilian Vesper Martini

Characteristics overview

This cocktail presents a deep amber hue and a silky texture, delivering a complex, bittersweet flavor profile with strong herbal and citrus notes. The long, warming finish makes it an excellent choice for any season, particularly cooler evenings.
Flavor
Bittersweet, Herbal, Citrusy, Complex, Rich
Aroma
Juniper, Orange Peel, Herbs, Caramel, Licorice
Taste balance
Bitter, Sweet, Spirit-forward
Aftertaste
Long, Herbal, Warming, Bittersweet
Fizziness
Still, None
Color appearance
Deep amber, Mahogany, Clear
Texture
Silky, Smooth, Full-bodied
Seasonality
Year-round, Autumn, Winter

Flavor intensity & Experience

This is a spirit-forward cocktail with a pronounced bitter-sweet balance. Its strength is notable, with moderate fruitiness from citrus oils and a gentle herbal spice, all presented without any carbonation or creaminess.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

The recipe calls for a precise trio of spirits: London Dry Gin, a neutral vodka, and the essential Averna Amaro. A fresh orange peel for garnish is mandatory to complete the drink's aroma.
  • London Dry Gin45 ml / 1.5 oz
    A classic juniper-forward gin like Beefeater or Tanqueray provides a solid botanical backbone.
  • Vodka22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Use a clean, neutral vodka to allow the other ingredients to shine.
  • Averna Amaro22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    This specific Sicilian amaro is the key ingredient and should not be substituted for a different flavor profile.
  • Orange Peel1
    A fresh, wide swath of peel is needed for expressing oils.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

Standard professional bar equipment is required for this stirred drink. You will need a mixing glass, a bar spoon for stirring, a jigger for accurate measurements, and a strainer.
  • Mixing glass
  • Bar spoon
  • Jigger
  • Cocktail strainer

Instructions

This cocktail is built by stirring the three liquid ingredients with ice in a mixing glass to achieve perfect chill and dilution. It is then strained into a chilled coupe and finished with the expressed oils of an orange peel.
1. Chill your coupe or martini glass by placing it in the freezer for at least 15 minutes.
2. Combine the London Dry Gin, vodka, and Averna Amaro in a mixing glass.
3. Fill the mixing glass two-thirds full with fresh, cold ice cubes.
4. Stir continuously with a bar spoon for about 20-30 seconds, until the outside of the mixing glass is frosty.
5. Strain the contents of the mixing glass into your chilled coupe glass.
6. Take a wide peel from a fresh orange. Hold it skin-side down over the drink and squeeze to express the fragrant oils over the surface.
7. Drop the orange peel into the glass and serve immediately.

Garnishing

The garnish is a simple but crucial orange peel. Expressing its oils over the drink introduces a bright citrus aroma that cuts through and complements the rich, bitter notes of the cocktail.
  • Orange Peel: Express the oils from a wide orange peel over the surface of the drink, then drop it into the glass.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally vegan, dairy-free, and egg-free. For a strictly gluten-free version, ensure the gin and vodka used are distilled from non-gluten sources like potatoes, corn, or grapes.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✕ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a moderately caloric cocktail, with its energy content primarily derived from the alcohol and the sugars in the Averna Amaro. It is not a significant source of carbohydrates.
Calories
Approximately 200-230 kcal / 837-962 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 8-10 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 8-10 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is ideal as a pre-dinner aperitif to stimulate the appetite. Its robust character also makes it a perfect contemplative sipper for a quiet evening or a sophisticated choice for cocktail parties.
  • Aperitif
  • Evening Sipper
  • Cocktail Party
  • Sophisticated Gathering

Pairing suggestions

The bittersweet and herbal complexity of the Sicilian Vespers pairs exceptionally well with rich, savory, and salty foods. Consider serving it with a platter of cured meats and aged cheeses, or alongside a bowl of high-quality marinated olives. For a post-dinner treat, it is a fantastic companion to dark chocolate.
  • Charcuterie boards with cured meats
  • Aged hard cheeses like Pecorino or Parmigiano-Reggiano
  • Marinated olives and roasted nuts
  • High-quality dark chocolate

Sicilian Vespers: A Darker Shade of Classic

The Sicilian Vespers is a sophisticated and modern twist on the classic Vesper Martini, born in the esteemed New York bar, Death & Co. It replaces the traditional Lillet Blanc with Averna, a Sicilian amaro, which imparts a wonderful bittersweet complexity, with notes of orange, herbs, and caramel. This stirred, spirit-forward cocktail is perfect for those who enjoy a contemplative sipper with a bitter edge. Served in a chilled coupe with an orange peel garnish, it's a bold and elegant drink for any refined occasion.

Similar cocktails

Vesper Martini

The direct inspiration, using Lillet Blanc instead of Averna for a lighter, more floral, and less bitter profile.

Black Manhattan

Another Averna-based classic, but it uses rye whiskey as its base and omits the gin and vodka, resulting in a spicier, whiskey-forward profile.

Hanky Panky

A classic gin cocktail that also features a bitter component, Fernet-Branca, along with sweet vermouth, offering a different kind of herbal bitterness.

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