The American Beauty is a vintage brandy-based cocktail combining dry vermouth, crème de menthe, orange juice and grenadine for a smooth, subtly sweet drink. This classic aperitif balances botanical and citrus notes with a hint of mint.
Recipe Source
Visit Mr. Boston DrinksFrom Mr. Boston Drinks · by Mr. Boston Deluxe Official Bartender's Guide
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Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass and top with a little Port.
cocktail shaker or mixing glass · jigger or measuring spoon · strainer (if shaking)
Use a smooth, quality five-star brandy like the original recipe calls for. Avoid overly dry or harsh brandies that will overpower the delicate balance of vermouth and crème de menthe.
Yes, but it changes the drink significantly. Try a small splash of peppermint liqueur or omit it entirely for a brandy-forward variation, though this loses the cocktail's signature minty note.
Yes, serve over ice or strain into a chilled coupe glass. The cold temperature brightens the citrus and vermouth while mellowing the brandy.
The recipe uses small measures (0.5 oz vermouth, 0.5 oz brandy, 0.25 tsp crème de menthe, 1 tbsp each juice and grenadine). Multiply all ingredients by the same factor when scaling up.
