Varnish Cocktail

The Varnish Cocktail is a modern classic that drinks like a timeless one, perfect for aficionados of spirit-forward cocktails. It presents a complex and layered riff on a Manhattan, masterfully combining the bold spice of rye whiskey with the rich sweetness of vermouth. The addition of maraschino liqueur adds a funky cherry note, while Amaro CioCiaro provides a bitter, herbal depth that ties everything together. It is a perfectly balanced and contemplative drink designed for slow sipping.
Varnish Cocktail

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Varnish Cocktail is classified as a modern classic cocktail. It functions well as a sophisticated digestif or an evening sipping drink due to its spirit-forward nature. It fits squarely in the category of stirred, whiskey-based drinks similar to a Manhattan or Brooklyn.

Serving

The Varnish Cocktail is served 'up' (without ice) in a pre-chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass. It is a potent, spirit-forward drink meant to be savored for its complex flavors.
Serving size
Approximately 95-105 ml / 3.2-3.6 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 28-32% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

This signature cocktail was created by barman Eric Alperin at his seminal Los Angeles speakeasy, The Varnish. The bar, which opened in 2009 inside a historic diner, quickly became famous for its meticulous approach to classic cocktails and intimate atmosphere. The Varnish Cocktail is a direct reflection of the bar's ethos: rooted in tradition but with a unique, modern twist that earned it a place in the modern cocktail canon.
Origin
The cocktail was created by Eric Alperin around 2009 at his bar, The Varnish, located in Downtown Los Angeles, California, USA.

Varnish Cocktail

The drink is straightforwardly named after The Varnish, the celebrated Los Angeles speakeasy where it originated. It doesn't have other widely recognized alternative names. Its name directly ties it to its place of creation, a common practice for signature bar drinks.
Original name
Varnish Cocktail
Alternative name
The Varnish Cocktail

Characteristics overview

This is a silky, spirit-forward cocktail with a deep amber hue, offering a complex balance of spicy rye, sweet vermouth, and bittersweet herbal notes. The aroma is rich with dark fruit and citrus, leading to a long, warming finish.
Flavor
Spirit-forward, spicy, herbal, subtly sweet, complex, cherry notes, orange peel
Aroma
Rye spice, dark fruit, herbal botanicals, maraschino cherry, citrus oil
Taste balance
Balanced, bitter, sweet
Aftertaste
Long, warming, bittersweet, herbal
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Deep amber, reddish-brown, clear
Texture
Silky, smooth, slightly viscous
Seasonality
Warming, year-round, autumnal

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is robust and complex, leaning towards bittersweet and spirit-forward with a noticeable alcoholic warmth. This intensity is balanced by underlying fruity and spicy notes from the supporting ingredients.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires four alcoholic components: a base of spicy rye whiskey, complemented by sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and a specific Italian amaro, CioCiaro. An orange for the garnish is also essential.
  • Rye Whiskey60 ml / 2 ounces
    A high-proof, spicy rye like Rittenhouse 100 is often recommended.
  • Sweet Vermouth22.5 ml / 0.75 ounce
    A rich, high-quality sweet vermouth such as Carpano Antica Formula works best.
  • Maraschino Liqueur7.5 ml / 0.25 ounce
    Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur is the standard choice.
  • Amaro CioCiaro5 ml / 1 bar spoon
    This specific amaro adds a unique orange and gentian bitterness. If unavailable, another citrus-forward amaro can be substituted.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

Standard stirring equipment is required. You will need a mixing glass, a jigger for measuring, a bar spoon for stirring, and a strainer to pour the chilled drink.
  • Mixing glass for stirring the ingredients.
  • Jigger for accurate measurement.
  • Bar spoon for stirring.
  • Strainer (Julep or Hawthorne) to hold back the ice when pouring.

Instructions

The preparation involves chilling a glass, stirring all liquid ingredients with ice in a mixing glass, and then straining into the chilled glass. The final step is garnishing with an expressed orange peel.
1. Place your coupe or Nick & Nora glass in the freezer to chill.
2. Combine the rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and Amaro CioCiaro in a mixing glass.
3. Fill the mixing glass two-thirds full with large, cold ice cubes.
4. Stir with a bar spoon for approximately 20-30 seconds until the outside of the glass is frosty and the drink is well-chilled and properly diluted.
5. Strain the contents into your chilled glass.
6. Take a fresh orange peel, hold it over the drink with the orange side facing down, and squeeze it to release its essential oils over the surface.
7. Drop the peel into the glass and serve immediately.

Garnishing

The drink is garnished with an orange peel. The essential oils are expressed over the glass to add aromatic complexity before the peel is dropped into the cocktail.
  • Orange peel expressed over the drink and dropped in.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is vegan and free from dairy, eggs, and nuts. However, it is not considered gluten-free because the base spirit, rye whiskey, 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 moderately caloric drink due to its high alcohol content and the sugars in the vermouth and liqueurs. It contains around 220 calories and 9 grams of sugar per serving.
Calories
Averagely 220 kcal / 920 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 9 grams
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 9 grams
Sugar level

Occasions

This is an ideal cocktail for a sophisticated evening setting. Its robust, complex character makes it a perfect after-dinner drink or a contemplative nightcap for whiskey lovers.
  • Evening Drink
  • After-dinner
  • Cocktail Hour
  • Nightcap

Pairing suggestions

The cocktail's bold, complex profile pairs well with savory and rich foods. Consider serving it alongside a platter of aged cheeses and charcuterie, high-quality dark chocolate, or simple bar snacks like marinated olives or roasted nuts to complement its bittersweet character.
  • Aged Cheeses (e.g., sharp cheddar, Gruyère)
  • Charcuterie Board
  • Dark Chocolate
  • Salted Nuts or Olives

The Varnish Cocktail: A Modern Speakeasy Classic

The Varnish Cocktail is a sophisticated, rye-based sipper that beautifully balances spice, sweetness, and bitterness. A modern classic from Los Angeles's famed speakeasy, The Varnish, it offers a complex flavor profile reminiscent of a Manhattan but with unique herbal and cherry notes from amaro and maraschino liqueur. It is prepared by stirring the ingredients with ice and serving it straight up in a chilled coupe glass. Best enjoyed slowly, it's a perfect nightcap or contemplative drink for any whiskey cocktail enthusiast.

Similar cocktails

Manhattan

The direct ancestor; uses Angostura bitters instead of maraschino liqueur and amaro.

Brooklyn

A close relative using dry vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and a bitter element (traditionally Amer Picon).

Red Hook

A variation of the Brooklyn using Punt e Mes vermouth and maraschino liqueur.

Black Manhattan

Substitutes the sweet vermouth entirely with a dark amaro, like Averna.

Little Italy

A Manhattan variation that adds the artichoke-based amaro Cynar.

Greenpoint

Another Brooklyn riff, this one incorporating Yellow Chartreuse for a different herbal profile.

Remember the Maine

A classic rye cocktail featuring sweet vermouth, cherry liqueur, and a dash of absinthe.

You May Also Like

Caipirinha

The Caipirinha is a refreshing and potent Brazilian cocktail made with cachaça, sugar, and lime.

Jungle Bird

A sophisticated and complex tiki cocktail that perfectly balances the sweetness of pineapple, the bitterness of Campari, and the richness of dark rum.

Game Changer

A creamy, potent, and deceptively smooth tropical rum cocktail that's a cult favorite from the Caribbean.

French Gimlet

A sophisticated and floral twist on the classic Gimlet, featuring gin, elderflower liqueur, and fresh lime juice.

Have You Tried These Yet?

B-57 Shot

A sweet, layered shot featuring coffee liqueur, Irish cream, and the distinct flavor of anise from Sambuca.

Mojito Blanco

A refreshing and elegant twist on the classic Mojito, made with crisp white wine instead of rum.

Tuxedo No. 2 Cocktail

An elegant and complex variation of the Martini, featuring gin, dry vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and a dash of absinthe.

Celeste Cocktail

An elegant and aromatic gin sour balanced with apricot liqueur, orgeat, and a hint of anise from Peychaud's bitters.