3-Ingredient Happy Hour: The Trashy Diplomat

3-Ingredient Happy Hour: The Trashy Diplomat

Happy Saturday my friends and welcome back to 3-Ingredient Happy Hour, the weekly drink column featuring super simple yet delicious libations. This week I’m making a less-nuanced version of one of my favourite in-it-for-the-long-haul beverages: the Diplomat cocktail.

Photo by Claire Lower

The vermouth-based drink is as practical as it is delicious; by using vermouth as the main source or ethanol, you get a cocktail with a much lower alcohol content, letting one remain diplomatic for as long as possible. I became acquainted with them while dating a dishwasher who worked late nights at a bar, in an attempt to still be “on” by the time he got off work.

Besides being more on the sessionable side, they’re also delicious. They’re usually made with both sweet and dry vermouth as well as maraschino liqueur, but we’re going to futz with that last bit.

Nothing against maraschino, but it’s not the most common home-bar bottle out there, and I’m currently all out. I do, however, have some cocktail cherries in my fridge and their sweet syrup ain’t too shabby. To make this slightly lowbrow iteration of the classic, you will need:

  • 56mL dry vermouth
  • 28mL sweet vermouth (rosso)
  • 3mL liquid from your favourite jar of cocktail cherries

Combine everything in an ice-filled stirring glass, stir to chill and dilute, then strain into a lowball over a big rock. Though this particular Diplomat won’t be as nuanced and polished as his proper friends, he’s still a tasty little number. Also, this is a great use for that vermouth that’s been hanging out in your fridge for a bit too long; waste is such a tragic thing.


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