The Another Sunken Boat cocktail is a stirred mezcal cocktail balanced with Punt e Mes (a vermouth amaro), Heering cherry liqueur, and a few drops of absinthe. The recipe is a riff on the Remember the Maine from Charles H. Baker Jr's first book - The Gentleman's Companion. His recipe was based on rye whiskey.
The recipe for this tasty twist was created by Phil Ward from Death & Co., famous for their outstanding bars and creators of one of the most popular modern cocktail books - Death & co. - Modern Classic Cocktails.
I first encountered the Another Sunken Boat during a trip to New York. Its name piqued my curiosity, and one sip was enough to make it unforgettable. The harmony of flavors in this cocktail is outstanding, and it felt like discovering a hidden gem beneath the waves.
Quick facts about the Another Sunken Boat cocktail
- Method: stirred
- Flavor profile: smoky, cherry, vegetal, herbal, bitter, sweet
- How to serve it: Chilled in a coupe glass, no extra ice. Garnished with a Maraschino cherry
- Glassware: Coupe glass
- Alcohol content: ~ 25.2% ABV, 21 grams of alcohol per serving
Key Ingredients you'll need and Recommended Brands
- 1.5 oz Mezcal: You can try it with Del Maguey Vida, Banhez, or Montelobos. All of them work fine in this cocktail.
- 0.75 oz Punt e Mes: A bitter Italian vermouth adding depth.
- 0.5 oz Cherry Heering: This tasty, sweet cherry liqueur brings rich cherry flavors to the drink.
- 2 dashes Absinthe: Provides a subtle anise aroma with some herbal notes that improve the overall balance.
- Garnish: Maraschino cherry on a cocktail pick
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make the Another Sunken Boat
- Chill Your Coupe Glass: Place a coupe glass in the freezer for a few minutes. Typically 10 - 15 minutes should be enough.
- Fill a Mixing Glass with Ice: Use plenty of ice to ensure proper dilution.
- Add the Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz mezcal
- 0.75 oz Punt e Mes
- 0.5 oz Cherry Heering
- 2 dashes absinthe
- Stir Gently: Stir the mixture for 20-25 seconds until the cocktail. is well-chilled and properly diluted.
- Strain: Get your coupe glass from the freezer and use your strainer to pour the cocktail into your chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish: Place a maraschino cherry on a cocktail pick and place it on the rim.
Equipment
- 1 Mixing glass
- 1 Bar spoon
- 1 Jigger
- 1 Hawthorne Strainer
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Mezcal - Del Maguey Vida, Banhez, or Montelobos Espadin
- 0.75 oz Punt e Mes
- 0.5 oz Heering Cherry liqueur
- 2 dashes Absinthe
Instructions
- Chill your coupe glass in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Fill your mixing glass with ice.
- Add all ingredients and stir the mix for 20 to 25 seconds until the drink is well-chilled.
- Strain into your chilled coupe glass and garnish the cocktail with a maraschino cherry on a cocktail pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can either use another vermouth amaro or a sweet vermouth like Cocchi Storico with a dash of Angostura bitters to mimic the bitter-sweet profile of Punt e Mes.
While it's a small component, absinthe adds significant depth. If unavailable, substitute with an anise-flavored liqueur like pastis.
Opt for real, high-quality cherries like Luxardo Maraschino Cherries for the best flavor and presentation. Please do not use the bright red cocktail cherries.
Use a bar spoon to gently stir the cocktail in a circular motion, ensuring it chills without introducing too much air.