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The equal parts Blood and Sand (scotch, cherry brandy, sweet vermouth, and orange juice) formula from the 1930 The Savoy Cocktail Book is the accepted...
No blended scotch so used Glenlivet and 1/4 oz Peat Monster, which made for a nice, smoky cocktail. Also added a couple dashes Fee Bros. cherry bitters to counteract the sweetness a bit.
The B&S has nice balance but haven't had Heering since my Singapore Sling phase; subbed Kirschwasser. Off topic: Don't know what I made but subbed Barr Hill gin for blended scotch, Schladerer Kirchwasser, Carpano Antica, fresh OJ, and XXV Glenlivet drizzle (just a drizzle don't crucify me). Its a nirvana milkshake.
If using normal less interesting fresh oranges, try adding 2 drops of citric acid solution (25 g powder, 100 g water) as suggested in Cocktail Codex. Makes it more fresh. Or a spash of lemon juice as some do...
Proportions here are just about perfect, but I do enjoy tweaking this recipe to reflect availability of different orange varieties through the seasons. Summer Valencias have a slightly bitter finish & provide balance to the sweet Cherry Heering. Winter Navel oranges are almost unidimensionally sweet. Blood oranges, arriving in late Winter & through Autumn, are perhaps best suited to this cocktail (to my palate) - tart as well as sweet, with a slightly bitter kick, & perfect ruddy colour.
If the oranges are particularly sweet, I'll sub in a bitter amaro for the vermouth. If the juice is quite pale & the result is a true sandy yellow, floating a bar spoon of red amaro across the surface gives a nice effect.
Great stuff. After reading Michael N's suggestion, I did a 10 second dry shake after 12 seconds of ice shake and the result is indeed excellent. I have to see if 15/20ml instead of 10 of Lagavulin would not give an even more satisfying result for my palate.
Made with Luxardo Maraschino (I just can't bring myself to spend $35 on a bottle of Cherry Heering), and it was absolutely delicious. Fresh, with the orange juice coming through nicely but not overpowering anything. Highly recommended.