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Boadas

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (35)
Boadas image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 2⁄3 fl oz Caribbean blended rum aged 6-10 years
1 1⁄2 fl oz Dubonnet, Byrrh etc. rouge light quinquina
1⁄6 fl oz Grand Marnier or other cognac orange liqueur
1⁄24 fl oz Italian red bitter liqueur

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

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How to make

Glassware

Serve in a Martini glass

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a MARTINI GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of skewered Luxardo Maraschino Cherry.

Method

  1. THROW all ingredients with ice.
  2. STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

  1. Garnish with skewered cherry.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Boadas contains 192 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.7 standard drinks
  • 26.12% alc./vol. (52.23° proof)
  • 24 grams of pure alcohol

Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

History

Adapted from the signature cocktail, created in 1933 by Don Miguel Boadas Parera for, or soon after, the opening of his bar in Barcelona, Spain.

The original recipe was equal parts Cuban rum (lightly aged - circa 3 year old), Dubonnet Red and orange curaçao. Even with Boadas' theatrical throw, this is not a great cocktail. However, with the 2022 change of ownership of Boadas so this recipe was updated to produce a far more delicious cocktail.

I'm indebted to Boadas for supplying one of their precious original glasses from their collection in which to photograph their signature cocktail.

Review

I don't know Boadas's recipe for their signature cocktail, and to be honest I'm too polite to ask. And if they told me, I don't think I'd share it as it should remain a cocktail you enjoy at Boadas. Hence, this is very much my interpretation, and given Don Miguel Boadas Parera's Cuban origins it's fitting to use a well-aged Cuban rum (when experimenting I used Havana Club 7). And yes, I tried orange curaçao but found it better with the richness of a cognac-orange liqueur.

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$5.71 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 15 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


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Gallery

Comments & Discussion

Calvin Grant Premium Member
This was excellent with Byrrh, Dry Curaçao, Campari, and Bacoo 12yr which is a bit on the sweeter side (added sugar?). Have tried U. S. Dubbonet and definitele prefer Byrrh. Do need to try this with a dryer rum and Grand Marnier.
score: 2
Matt Premium Member
I think this is too sweet - I'm not sure how the taste guide (above) skews to dry, but it was too much for me to enjoy. I used a 12 yo El Dorado and Byrrh - that may have been part of the issue.
score: -1
Robert Spain
One of the most delicious cocktails I've ever tasted. My booze: Appleton Signature, Dubonnet, Pierre Ferrand and Campari.
score: 3
Amber Morgan
I'm not very familiar with Dubonnet but this was a good recipe for trying it. The rum stands up to the sweetness of the Dubonnet I think.
score: 1
Chris Dimal
Did not try this cocktail (don't have the ingredients for it). Nevertheless, this cocktail is not all that much of a big secret. Looking at the following video of the head bartender of the time making it, the rum does not look all that well aged. Perhaps a Havana Club 3 or Havana Club Especial may fit the bill just a bit more. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyFxsTaHb5k&pp=ygUPQm9hZGFzIENvY2t0YWls
score: 1
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
Thanks, Chris. I've added the video you found to the page above. The recipe now served has dramatically changed since the days of this video. Boadas has always been a great bar but now it also has great cocktails!
score: 1
John Hinojos Premium Member
Having never tried the original, found it very flavourful. Did find it a bit sweet for our tastes and we added 4 drops of Peychaud bitters which added a little more spice flavours and lessened the sweetness.
score: 2
Sami Pratt
Gotta love Boadas and those tiny Martini glasses they fill right to the top.
score: 2
Andy Parnell-Hopkinson
I love Boadas and shall enjoy this experiment.
score: 2
Andy Parnell-Hopkinson
Well it was good but not great. Needed some pop or sparkle.
score: 1

View 8 comments and discussion

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Difford’s Shop logo
$5.71 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 15 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

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