Average
Spirit-forward & Bold
3 minutes
Rocks Glass
Ingredients
Little is known about this cocktail, but one sip will leave you wondering why. Sophisticated and complex, this stirred cocktail is one to serve at cocktail soirées or evening book clubs.
How to Make a Bowling Cocktail
Bar tools you’ll need
Jigger
Mixing Glass
Julep Strainer
Bar Spoon
How to Mix
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Add ice cubes to a mixing glass.
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Use a jigger to measure and pour Absolut Vodka into the mixing glass, followed by scotch whisky, and cognac.
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Use a bar spoon to measure and pour two spoonfuls (approx. 10 ml) of maraschino liqueur.
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Use a bar spoon to stir the cocktail until it’s chilled and diluted to your taste preference.
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Fill a rocks glass with ice cubes.
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Place a julep strainer over the opening of the mixing glass, then pour the cocktail into your glass.
All about the Bowling cocktail
The Bowling cocktail is an obscure cocktail that combines vodka, cognac, Scotch whisky, and a splash of maraschino liqueur. Stirred in a mixing glass and then strained into a rocks glass over ice cubes, it’s a drink meant for slow sipping, exuding an undeniable air of sophistication.
Rich, bold and complex. The Scotch whisky offers a smoky, peaty flavor. Cognac delivers rich, fruity notes with undertones of oak and caramel, while vodka offers a clean, smooth base. Together with a splash of maraschino liqueur, the Bowling cocktail blends smoky, fruity, and sweet cherry flavors for a complex and sophisticated taste experience.
Unfortunately, there’s no documented history or information about the origins of this cocktail.
- Stir until you achieve “the perfect dilution”
When making a Manhattan cocktail for an episode of Absolut Drinks with Rico, Ricardo ‘Rico’ Dynan, Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador, explained that when you’re making spirit-forward drinks like the Manhattan or Bowling cocktail, you should stir the drink until it’s not only ice-cold but until you achieve “the perfect dilution”.What’s the perfect dilution, you ask? The perfect dilution is when you taste it and you like what you taste. Use a bar spoon to place a drop or two on the back of your hand for a taste test. If you like what you taste, it’s ready to serve. Otherwise, keep stirring to melt the ice and achieve your desired dilution.
- Shaken or stirred
While we prefer making the Bowling cocktail as a stirred drink, you can shake it using a cocktail shaker. The stirred version is typically smoother and clearer, preserving the drink’s texture and appearance, while the shaken version is more aerated, resulting in a colder and slightly more diluted cocktail.
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For the Bowling cocktail, we suggest serving it in a rocks glass filled with ice cubes to enhance its sophisticated sipping experience.
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Considering the drink’s complex flavor profile, our recipe doesn’t call for a garnish. However, a maraschino cherry can beautifully complement its flavors, and you might even consider skewering a few cherries on a cocktail stick.
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Alternatively, a lemon wedge or a lemon twist can also work well, adding a subtle citrus note to the mix.
Bowling Cocktail FAQ
As stated in the ‘Tips’ section above, you should stir your drink until it’s cold and it’s diluted to your taste preference.
After stirring for 10 seconds or so, use a bar spoon to place a drop or two on the back of your hand for a taste test. If you like what you taste, it’s ready to serve. Otherwise, keep stirring.
It’s really up to you and what profile you’re looking for. You can opt for a balanced, sweet Scotch whisky or if you want something more smoky, you might prefer an Islay whisky, which is a heavily peated, single malt Scotch.
We recommend choosing a young Cognac, such as those rated V.S. or V.S.O.P., which offer fruity, floral, and subtly spicy notes.
We recommend using original Absolut Vodka, which is a premium vodka. It’s smooth and clean profile enhances the flavors of the whisky and cognac wonderfully.
IF YOU ENJOY A BOWLING COCKTAIL, YOU MIGHT LIKE THESE SPIRIT-FORWARD DRINKS:
San Francisco (Café Royal Version)
Easy
Spirit-forward & Herbal
