Dandy recipe
A sophisticated pre-prohibition whiskey and Dubonnet classic from the 1930 Savoy Cocktail Book.
Method: Stir and strain ·
Glass: Chilled coupe glass ·
Time: 3 min ·
Difficulty: Intermediate ·
Family: The Martini Family
Ingredients
- 45 ml Rye whiskey (Bottled-in-bond or 100 proof preferred)
- 45 ml Dubonnet Rouge (Red quinquina or aromatic sweet aperitif wine)
- 7.5 ml Cointreau (Triple sec or orange liqueur)
- 1 dash Angostura aromatic bitters
How to make a Dandy
- Chill a coupe glass in the refrigerator or freezer.
- Combine rye whiskey, Dubonnet Rouge, Cointreau, and Angostura bitters in a mixing glass filled with quality ice.
- Stir briskly for 30 seconds to achieve proper dilution and chilling.
- Strain the chilled liquid into the prepared coupe glass.
- Express the essential oils of both lemon and orange peels over the drink and discard the peels.
Garnish
Expressed oils from both a lemon peel and an orange peel discarded across the surface.
Pro tip
Using equal parts rye whiskey and Dubonnet creates a rich aperitif balance where neither spirit dominates. Splitting the citrus peel expression between lemon and orange yields the signature complex aroma specified in historical records.
History of the Dandy
First recorded in Harry Craddock’s influential 1930 publication, The Savoy Cocktail Book, the Dandy is a sophisticated riff on the classic Manhattan. It bridges bold American rye whiskey with the bittersweet, botanically infused profile of French red vermouth or quinquina like Dubonnet. While often attributed entirely to Craddock's London tenure during the interwar cocktail boom, many vintage recipes from this era evolved from transatlantic barroom exchanges. By incorporating orange liqueur and dual citrus expressions, the Dandy stands out as a refined aperitif suited for pre-dinner contemplation.
Flavour profile
bittersweet, herbaceous, citrusy, rich
Variations
- Fine and Dandy — Substitutes gin for rye whiskey and adds fresh lemon juice for a citrus-forward sour variation.
- Italian Dandy — Replaces Dubonnet with sweet vermouth and adds Italian herbal liqueur for a richer, bolder profile.
Practise making the Dandy in the free Virtual Bar game.