The Secret Sip of Seville

Tucked away in the winding streets of Seville, beneath the orange trees and the shadow of the grand cathedral, there’s a little bar called El Susurro—The Whisper. It’s the kind of place only locals know, where the bartender, an old man named Antonio, never writes down an order. He remembers every face and every drink they’ve ever had.

One evening, a mysterious woman walked in, draped in a silk shawl, her eyes glinting like the sun off the Guadalquivir River. She asked Antonio for something soft yet strong, dry yet sweet. Without a word, he turned to his dusty bottles, pouring a golden stream of fino sherry into a glass, adding a splash of gin, a whisper of orange bitters, and stirring it over ice. He garnished it with a lemon twist and set it before her.

She took a sip, her lips curling into a knowing smile. “Ah,” she said, “this tastes like a secret.”

And so, the Adonis was reborn. Named after the Greek god of beauty, this elegant, low-ABV cocktail first emerged in the 1880s, celebrating the Broadway success of a play by the same name. It’s smooth, sophisticated, and deeply tied to the rich traditions of Spanish sherry.

Adonis Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients

• 45ml dry sherry (Fino or Amontillado)
• 45ml sweet vermouth
• 2 dashes of orange bitters
• Lemon twist, for garnish

Instructions

1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Pour in the sherry, sweet vermouth, and bitters.
3. Stir until well chilled (about 30 seconds).
4. Strain into a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass.
5. Express a lemon twist over the drink and drop it in.

Tasting Notes:
The Adonis is light yet complex, with nutty, herbal, and citrus notes dancing together in perfect harmony. It’s an excellent aperitif, ideal for slow sipping as the sun sets—whether in Seville or your own living room.