Diamondback

Difford's Guide
Discerning Drinkers (91 ratings)

Serve in a

Nick & Nora glass

Garnish:

Luxardo Maraschino cherry

How to make:

STIR all ingredients with ice and strain unto chilled glass.

1 fl oz Straight rye whiskey (100 proof /50% alc./vol.)
1/2 fl oz Calvados / apple brandy / straight applejack
1/2 fl oz Yellow Chartreuse (or génépy liqueur)
1/3 fl oz Chilled water (omit if using wet ice)
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Read about cocktail measures and measuring.

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Review:

This potent cocktail marries apple spirit with rye whiskey and rich herbal Chartreuse. An after-dinner/nightcap tipple.

Variant:

American Trilogy

History:

Adapted from Ted Saucier's 1951 Bottoms Up book in which the author calls for two parts rye whiskey, one part applejack and one part yellow Chartreuse. The Diamondback Lounge Cocktail, as its properly named, was the signature drink at the Diamondback Lounge bar which lies within the Lord Baltimore Hotel. This historic 22-story hotel opened in 1928 and still graces the skyline of Baltimore, Maryland to this day, although sadly the Diamondback Lounge has long gone.

The cocktail, and indeed the lounge bar where it originated, are named after the diamondback terrapin, a species of turtle common to the tidal marshlands of America's east coast which, as its name suggests, has a diamond pattern on top of its shell. Since 1932, the turtle has been the University of Maryland's school mascot and is also the Maryland State Reptile.

DIAMONDBACK LOUNGE
Courtesy, Lord Baltimore Hotel, Baltimore
1 jigger Old Schenley rye whisky
½ jigger applejack
½ jigger yellow chartreuse
Ice
Shake well. Serve over cracked ice in old-fashioned glass. Decorate with sprig of fresh mint.

Ted Saucier, 1951

Alcohol content:

  • 1.5 standard drinks
  • 30.37% alc./vol. (60.74° proof)
  • 21.3 grams of pure alcohol
Difford's Guide remains free-to-use thanks to the support of the brands in green above. Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

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It's International Vodka Day image

It's International Vodka Day

Our friends across the pond have given us a reason to celebrate. In America, the 4th of October is National Vodka Day, so by extension, for the rest of

World Calvados Day image

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Our friends at Avallen Calvados launched World Calvados Day in 2020 to celebrate the French apple brandy. Hoorah!

International Gin and Tonic Day image

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Founded in 2010 (according to Wikipedia) and celebrated annually worldwide on the 19th October, International Gin & Tonic Day is just as it sounds –

National Mezcal Day image

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Perhaps this page should read 'International Mezcal Day', as although this 'National Day' is an all American creation there are a great many of us around

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