Vagrant Cocktail

The Vagrant Cocktail is a sophisticated and compelling modern drink that perfectly balances the rich funk of Jamaican rum with the vegetal bitterness of Cynar. Brightened by fresh lime juice and a touch of sweetness, it offers a complex, bittersweet, and deeply refreshing experience. It's a fantastic choice for those who enjoy herbal, less-sweet cocktails and serves as a great introduction to amaro-based sours.
Vagrant Cocktail

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Vagrant Cocktail is categorized as a modern classic cocktail, representing a new wave of balanced and intriguing drinks that have gained popularity in the craft cocktail scene.

Serving

Served 'up' (chilled, without ice) in a pre-chilled Coupe or Nick & Nora glass, this is a refined, spirit-forward but refreshing cold drink with a moderate alcohol content.
Serving size
Approximately 120 ml / 4 oz (before ice dilution)
Alcohol content
Estimated 22-26% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

This cocktail was created by bartender Daniel Eun in the late 2000s while he was working at The Varnish, a renowned craft cocktail bar in Los Angeles. It is an excellent example of the modern classic cocktail movement, where bartenders take traditional templates (in this case, the sour) and introduce new, interesting ingredients like Italian amari. The name "Vagrant" is evocative, but its specific origin is not widely documented.
Origin
Los Angeles, USA, late 2000s.

Vagrant Cocktail

The Vagrant Cocktail is known by its original name and does not have any widely recognized alternative names or translations.
Original name
Vagrant Cocktail

Characteristics overview

The Vagrant boasts a complex, bittersweet flavor profile with herbaceous and funky notes, balanced by a crisp sourness. Its aroma is vegetal and citrusy, leading to a smooth texture and a long, clean, bitter finish.
Flavor
bittersweet, herbaceous, tart, funky, earthy, vegetal
Aroma
vegetal, citrus, molasses, herbal
Taste balance
bitter, sour, slightly sweet
Aftertaste
long, complex, bitter, clean
Fizziness
none
Color appearance
brownish-green, deep amber, translucent
Texture
smooth, crisp, clean
Seasonality
refreshing, all-season

Flavor intensity & Experience

The drink is moderately intense, characterized by a prominent sour and bitter balance, with a subtle sweetness and notable alcohol presence. It is a still drink with no creaminess or spiciness.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

The recipe calls for a funky Jamaican rum, the artichoke-based amaro Cynar, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup to create its unique flavor.
  • Jamaican Rum45 ml / 1.5 oz
    A pot-still, funky Jamaican rum like Smith & Cross or Appleton Estate Signature is recommended for its character.
  • Cynar22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    This artichoke-based Italian amaro provides the signature bittersweet and vegetal notes.
  • Fresh Lime Juice22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Freshly squeezed juice is essential for the brightness of the cocktail.
  • Simple Syrup (1:1)15 ml / 0.5 oz
    A 1:1 ratio of sugar to water. Adjust quantity to taste based on the sweetness preference.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a cocktail shaker to chill and dilute the ingredients, along with jiggers for measuring and a double-straining setup for a clean texture.
  • Cocktail shaker for mixing and chilling
  • Jigger for measuring
  • Hawthorne strainer for primary straining
  • Fine-mesh strainer for double straining

Instructions

The method involves chilling a glass, shaking all ingredients with plenty of ice, and double-straining into the prepared glass before adding a final aromatic garnish.
1. Chill your Coupe or Nick & Nora glass by filling it with ice and water, or by placing it in the freezer for at least 15 minutes.
2. Combine the Jamaican rum, Cynar, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker three-quarters full with cubed ice.
4. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker is frosty.
5. Discard the ice from your serving glass.
6. Double-strain the cocktail into the chilled glass by pouring it through both a Hawthorne strainer and a fine-mesh strainer.
7. Cut a swath of lime peel for garnish. Squeeze it over the drink's surface to express the citrus oils, then place it on the rim or drop it in.

Garnishing

A simple lime twist, expressed over the drink to release its fragrant oils, is the ideal garnish to complement the cocktail's aromas.
  • Lime Twist - Express the oils over the drink's surface before placing it on the rim of the glass.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, soy, and gluten. It is suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets and is caffeine-free.
✓ 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 and sugar content, primarily from the simple syrup and Cynar, with carbohydrates around the 12-15 gram range per serving.
Calories
Approximately 180-210 kcal / 753-879 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 12-15 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 10-13 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is perfect as a pre-dinner aperitif to stimulate the palate, for a sophisticated happy hour, or for any occasion that calls for a complex and thought-provoking sip.
  • Aperitif
  • Happy Hour
  • Sophisticated Sipping
  • Summer Evening

Pairing suggestions

The Vagrant's bittersweet profile pairs wonderfully with salty and savory snacks. Consider serving it with cured meats, olives, hard cheeses, or fried calamari to complement its herbaceous notes and cut through richness.
  • Marinated Olives
  • Salty nuts
  • Charcuterie board
  • Fried appetizers like calamari or arancini

The Vagrant Cocktail: A Modern Bittersweet Journey

The Vagrant Cocktail is a modern classic that offers a masterful blend of funky Jamaican rum and the vegetal bitterness of Cynar. Balanced with fresh lime and a touch of sugar, it's a shaken, sour-style drink that is both refreshing and complex. Served up in a coupe glass, it's an ideal choice for adventurous drinkers looking for a sophisticated, bittersweet aperitif that steps away from the ordinary.

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