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Balmoral

The Balmoral is a very strong whiskey spirit-forward cocktail, herbal and sweet on the palate. Stirred and served in a cocktail glass.

Flavor profile

Sweet
65 out of 100
Bitter
52 out of 100
Herbal
74 out of 100
Smoky
41 out of 100
Boozy
87 out of 100

How to make a Balmoral

To make a Balmoral, stir with ice and strain into a cocktail glass: 1½ oz scotch, ½ oz sweet vermouth, ½ oz dry vermouth and 2 dashes Bitters.

You'll need

1 drink

Instructions

  1. 1

    Chill a cocktail glass: fill it with ice and water while you mix, then tip it out.

  2. 2

    Pour Scotch, sweet vermouth, dry vermouth and bitters into a mixing glass (any sturdy glass works).

  3. 3

    Fill it with ice.

  4. 4

    Stir for 20-30 seconds, until the outside is cold to the touch.

  5. 5

    Strain into the chilled cocktail glass.

Why stir? Scotch, sweet vermouth and dry vermouth are clear, so a gentle stir over ice chills and dilutes them without clouding the drink.

Balmoral questions

What does a Balmoral taste like?

Mostly herbal and sweet, with a noticeable alcohol warmth. It's a very strong drink at about 26% ABV once mixed.

How strong is a Balmoral?

About 26% ABV after mixing with ice, close to a neat spirit.

What's the difference between a Balmoral and an Affinity?

Both use scotch, sweet vermouth and dry vermouth. The Balmoral adds Bitters, while the Affinity uses Orange bitters.

Should a Balmoral be shaken or stirred?

Stirred. Scotch, sweet vermouth and dry vermouth are clear, so stirring chills it while keeping it silky; shaking would cloud it with tiny bubbles.

What glass do you serve a Balmoral in?

A cocktail glass.