The Slope

Name: The Slope
Prep time: 3 min
Total time: 3 min
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients: 60 ml / 2 ounces Rye Whiskey; 22.5 ml / 0.75 ounces Apricot Liqueur; 7.5 ml / 0.25 ounces Dry Vermouth; 1 dash Angostura Aromatic Bitters

Ingredients Instructions

The Slope is a modern classic cocktail that beautifully showcases the spicy character of rye whiskey. Created by renowned bartender Julie Reiner, it combines rye with the stone fruit sweetness of apricot liqueur and the complex herbal notes of dry vermouth. A dash of Angostura bitters ties all the flavors together, resulting in a balanced, elegant, and contemplative sipper.

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time

Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Slope is categorized as a modern classic cocktail. It emerged during the cocktail renaissance of the early 2000s and has since earned a respected place in the modern cocktail canon. It is considered a spirit-forward, stirred cocktail.

Serving

Served 'up' (without ice) in a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass, this cold, spirit-forward cocktail has a significant but balanced alcohol presence.

Serving size

Approximately 110 ml / 3.75 oz

Alcohol content

Approximately 30% ABV

Alcohol strength

Serving temperature

Cold

Glass type

Coupe

Glass treatment

Chilled

Backstory

This cocktail was created by Julie Reiner for the opening menu of her iconic bar, Clover Club, in Brooklyn, New York, around 2008. It is named after the Park Slope neighborhood where the bar is located. The drink quickly became a favorite among regulars and a respected example of the modern cocktail renaissance.

Origin

United States, Brooklyn, New York, circa 2008.

The Slope

The drink's name, "The Slope," is a direct tribute to the Park Slope neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. This is where its creator, Julie Reiner, opened the renowned Clover Club bar. There are no common alternative names for this modern classic.

Original name

The Slope

Alternative name

Slope Cocktail

Characteristics overview

The Slope presents a spicy, fruity aroma leading to a silky, spirit-forward palate where rye is balanced by sweet apricot and dry, herbal vermouth. Its appearance is a clear, inviting amber, making it perfect for year-round sipping.

Flavor

rye spice, stone fruit, apricot, herbal, subtly sweet, bitter finish

Aroma

aromatic bitters, spicy whiskey, faint apricot, orange oils

Taste balance

spirit-forward, balanced, bittersweet

Aftertaste

lingering spice, dry, clean, herbal

Fizziness

none, still

Color appearance

amber, golden-brown, clear

Texture

silky, smooth, slightly viscous

Seasonality

year-round, warming, autumnal

Flavor intensity & Experience

This is a spirit-forward drink with a moderate flavor intensity, where the spiciness of the rye and bitterness from bitters are balanced by the subtle fruitiness of apricot liqueur. The alcohol strength is noticeable but well-integrated.

Sweetness

Saltiness

Sourness

Bitterness

Spiciness

Fruitiness

Creaminess

Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires four key ingredients: a spicy rye whiskey as the base, a sweet apricot liqueur, a touch of dry vermouth for herbal complexity, and a dash of Angostura bitters to tie it all together.

Rye Whiskey60 ml / 2 ounces
A high-rye, 100-proof whiskey like Rittenhouse is often recommended.
Apricot Liqueur22.5 ml / 0.75 ounces
Brands like Rothman & Winter or Giffard Abricot du Roussillon work well.
Dry Vermouth7.5 ml / 0.25 ounces
A quality French dry vermouth such as Dolin Dry is preferred.
Angostura Aromatic Bitters1 dash
A single dash is enough to add complexity without overpowering the other ingredients.

Ice type

Cubed

Mixing equipments

To prepare The Slope, you'll need standard bar equipment for a stirred cocktail: a mixing glass, a jigger for measuring, a bar spoon, and a strainer.

Mixing glass for stirring the cocktail
Jigger for accurate measurement of ingredients
Bar spoon for stirring
Strainer (Julep or Hawthorne) to hold back the ice when pouring

Instructions

The preparation involves chilling a glass, stirring the ingredients with ice in a mixing glass, and then straining into the prepared glass. The final touch is garnishing with an expressed orange peel.

1. Chill a coupe or Nick & Nora glass in the freezer or by filling it with ice water.

2. Combine rye whiskey, apricot liqueur, dry vermouth, and Angostura bitters in a mixing glass.

3. Fill the mixing glass two-thirds full with large, clear ice cubes.

4. Stir with a bar spoon for approximately 20-30 seconds until well-chilled and properly diluted.

5. If you used ice water to chill your serving glass, discard it.

6. Strain the mixture from the mixing glass into the chilled coupe glass.

7. Take a fresh orange peel and express its oils over the surface of the drink by squeezing it with the peel-side facing the drink.

8. Drop the orange peel into the glass as a garnish and serve immediately.

Garnishing

The Slope is traditionally garnished with an orange twist. Expressing the oils from the peel over the drink's surface adds a bright citrus aroma that complements the cocktail's flavors.

Orange Twist: Express the oils over the drink surface and then drop it in.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is vegan and free from dairy, eggs, and caffeine, but it is not considered gluten-free due to the rye whiskey base. While distillation removes most gluten proteins, those with high sensitivity should be cautious.

✓ Contains alcohol

✓ Caffeine-free

✓ Dairy-free

✓ Egg-free

✓ Soy-free

✓ Nut-free

✕ Gluten-free

✓ Vegan-friendly

✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail has a moderate calorie count, primarily from the alcohol and apricot liqueur, and contains a relatively low amount of carbohydrates and sugar per serving.

Calories

Averagely 190-220 kcal / 795-920 kJ

Calories level

Carbohydrates

Averagely 8-10 grams

Carbohydrate level

Sugar

Averagely 7-9 grams

Sugar level

Occasions

The Slope is an excellent choice for sophisticated sipping occasions, such as a pre-dinner aperitif or an evening drink at a cocktail party. Its elegant and spirit-forward nature makes it ideal for moments that call for a well-crafted cocktail.

Evening Drink
Cocktail Party
Pre-dinner Drink
Sophisticated Sipping

Pairing suggestions

The Slope's spirit-forward and subtly sweet profile pairs well with savory and salty snacks. Consider serving it alongside a charcuterie board, aged hard cheeses, or a simple bowl of mixed nuts or olives to complement its complex flavors.

Salty nuts
Charcuterie board
Hard cheeses like aged cheddar or gouda
Olives

The Slope: A Modern Classic from Brooklyn

The Slope is an elegant, rye-forward modern classic from New York's famed Clover Club. It masterfully balances the spice of rye whiskey with the delicate sweetness of apricot liqueur and the botanical notes of dry vermouth. Served chilled and up in a coupe glass with an orange twist, it's a sophisticated sipper perfect for those who appreciate a well-crafted, spirit-driven cocktail. It represents the best of the cocktail renaissance: simple, balanced, and delicious.