The Adonis: A Complete History & Classic Recipe

Some cocktails are bold. Some are flamboyant. And then there are cocktails like the Adonis—understated, refined, and quietly luminous, like a golden-hour glow across a well-set table. Named after a Broadway musical and built from sherry and sweet vermouth, the Adonis is one of the earliest low-alcohol aperitif cocktails in the classic canon.

Its flavor whispers rather than shouts: candied orange, walnut skin, dried flowers, and gentle herbal warmth. A soft bitterness arrives late, unfolding slowly. It is a drink for savoring, not conquering. More than a century after its creation, the Adonis remains a symbol of elegance and restraint—a reminder that a cocktail doesn’t need high proof to deliver depth, complexity, or pleasure.

This is the full story of the Adonis: its theatrical origins, its rise and fall, and its modern resurrection as one of the most quietly powerful aperitif cocktails of all time.

I. Origins

The Broadway Connection

The Adonis cocktail was created in the mid-1880s in New York City to celebrate the success of the Broadway musical Adonis—one of the first true smash hits of American theater. The show ran for over 500 performances, a record at the time.

Cocktails created to honor theatrical productions were fashionable in the late 19th century; bars near the theater district often made custom drinks for stars, opening nights, or long-running productions. The Adonis emerged from this cultural moment.

A New Kind of Aperitif

Unlike the whiskey-heavy drinks common at the time, the Adonis was built entirely from fortified and aromatized wines:

• Sherry (usually Fino or Oloroso in early recipes)

• Sweet vermouth

• Bitters

This made the drink:

• Low in alcohol

• Elegant

• Suited to pre-theater sipping

• Perfectly aligned with European aperitif culture

It was a gentle, sophisticated drink for a sophisticated audience.

A Cosmopolitan Creation

The Adonis sits at the crossroads of 19th-century drinking:

• Spanish sherry

• Italian vermouth

• American bitters

• New York theatrical culture

It was, even at birth, an international cocktail.

II. Historical Evolution

Early Recipes

The earliest published versions varied slightly, but the formula was always:

• Equal parts sherry + sweet vermouth

• A touch of bitters

• Served chilled in a small wine glass or cocktail glass

• Sometimes with a twist of orange

Some used bitters heavily; others treated them as a whisper.

A Pre-Prohibition Favorite

Before Prohibition, low-proof aperitifs were common, especially among the upper class and among daytime drinkers. The Adonis found a home in hotel bars, theater bars, and gentlemen’s clubs.

The Post-Prohibition Decline

After Prohibition, American tastes shifted radically toward high-proof cocktails—Whiskey Sours, Martinis, Manhattans. Fortified wines fell out of fashion. Vermouth quality plummeted; sherry suffered even more. The Adonis nearly disappeared.

The Modern Return

The craft cocktail revival of the 2000s and 2010s restored respect for:

• Quality vermouth

• Fresh, vibrant sherries

• Aperitif culture

• Low-ABV drinking

With the rise of Spanish sherry bars and European-style aperitivo programs, the Adonis found new prominence.

Today it is a hallmark of refined bar programs and a favorite among bartenders.

III. Ingredients & Technique

The Adonis is simple—but precision is everything.

Sherry

The soul of the Adonis.Best options:

• Fino: Bright, saline, almond-like

• Manzanilla: Floral, coastal, delicate

• Amontillado or Oloroso: Richer, nuttier, deeper (for winter riffs)

Fino or Manzanilla is the contemporary standard.

Sweet Vermouth

High-quality sweet vermouth is essential. Look for:

• Herbal depth

• Warm spice notes

• Balanced sweetness

• Fresh, refrigerated vermouth (never old or oxidized)

Carpano Antica, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino, or Mancino Rosso are excellent.

Bitters

Traditionally:

• Orange bitters

• Aromatic bittersSome bartenders combine the two for richer layering.

Citrus Oils

A delicate orange twist complements the vermouth and enhances aromatics.

Technique

The Adonis must be stirred with precision:

• Chilled but not watery

• Silky but not over-diluted

• Clear, not cloudy

Serve up for maximum elegance.

IV. Cultural Significance

An Early Low-ABV Icon

The Adonis is one of the first cocktails to embrace low alcohol as a feature. Long before the modern low-ABV trend, the Adonis was offering:

• Sessionability

• Elegance

• Flavor without heaviness

It was ahead of its time.

A Theater District Staple

The drink bridges the golden age of Broadway and cocktail culture. It represents a moment when bars and theaters were intertwined in cultural life.

Revival of Fortified Wine Cocktails

The Adonis helped reintroduce:

• Classic sherry cocktails

• Pre-Prohibition aperitifs

• Wine-based cocktail structures

Its rebirth paralleled rising appreciation for sherry’s complexity.

Contemporary Identity

Today the Adonis is:

• A bartender favorite

• A symbol of restraint

• A perfect pre-dinner drink

• A template for modern low-ABV innovation

It’s a drink of poise—and it rewards attention.

V. How to Make the Classic Version Today

Recipe — The Classic Adonis

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz (45 ml) Fino or Manzanilla sherry

• 1.5 oz (45 ml) sweet vermouth

• 1–2 dashes orange bitters

• 1 dash aromatic bitters

• Orange twist

Method

1. Add sherry, vermouth, and bitters into a mixing glass.

2. Fill with ice and stir gently for 10–12 seconds.

3. Strain into a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora.

4. Express an orange twist over the top; place or discard.

Specs

• Glass: Nick & Nora or coupe

• Ice: None (served up)

• Garnish: Orange twist

• Style: Low-ABV fortified wine aperitif

Technique Notes

• Refrigerate sherry and vermouth; freshness is essential.

• Don’t over-dilute—the drink loses structure quickly.

• A tiny increase in sherry makes the drink drier; a tiny increase in vermouth makes it richer.

• Use high-quality bitters—this drink has nowhere to hide.

Variations & Lineage

• Perfect Adonis: Add 0.25 oz dry vermouth

• Oloroso Adonis: Richer, nuttier winter riff

• Adonis Highball: Top with soda for aperitivo service

• Bamboo: Dry vermouth instead of sweet vermouth

• Reform Club: Similar fortified-wine structure with different amari

Service & Pairing Tip

• Perfect with olives, oysters, roasted almonds, anchovies, jamón, or light tapas.

• A beautiful start to any dinner service or aperitif hour.

VI. Modern Variations & Legacy

A Template for Low-ABV Innovation

The Adonis inspires a whole genre of modern cocktails built from:

• Sherry

• Vermouth

• Aperitivi

• Bitters

• Citrus oils

It is the foundation of a new golden age of aperitif mixology.

A Quiet Icon

Unlike loud modern classics, the Adonis thrives on:

• Subtlety

• Balance

• Restraint

Its influence is found in countless contemporary menus focused on hospitality, nuance, and food pairing.

A Cocktail That Endures

The Adonis remains beloved because it offers something timeless:

• The elegance of European aperitif culture

• The storytelling of vintage New York

• The bright subtlety of sherry

• A low-ABV profile that feels modern

It is as relevant today as it was 140 years ago.