Calories:~200
Fat:0g
Protein:0g
Carbohydrates:~10g
Alcohol:~30%
I fell in love with the art of mixology 6 years ago. Since then, I've honed my skills, crafting a myriad of cocktail recipes, and sharing my passion with other enthusiasts.
Last Updated: January 16, 2024
The Semester Abroad cocktail is a sophisticated blend that evokes the spirit of adventure and the rich experiences one gains from international travel. It's perfect for those with a taste for the bold and the bitter, and it's often enjoyed by seasoned travelers and students reminiscing about their time overseas.
The Semester Abroad offers a robust and spicy flavor profile from the rye whiskey, complemented by the herbal bitterness of Fernet Branca and the sweet, orangey notes of Dry Curacao. It's a strong, slightly sweet, and complex cocktail with a lingering aftertaste.
Using 2 oz of rye whiskey as our base spirit gives our 'Semester Abroad' its strong backbone and spicy undertones. Rye is less sweet than bourbon, providing a different kind of warmth and complexity. If you skimp on the whiskey, the drink loses its punch, and too much would overpower the nuanced flavors of the other ingredients.
Dry Curacao, at 1 oz, brings a light, citrusy sweet balance to the cocktail. It plays well with the spiciness of the rye and offers a hint of sophistication. Forget the Curacao? Say adieu to the subtle sweet notes that cut through the bitterness of the Fernet. A substitute like Triple Sec could work, but expect a slightly sweeter profile.
Half an ounce is just enough Fernet Branca to introduce its minty, herbal bitterness to the party without gatecrashing. It's the wildcard that makes this cocktail an international affair. Miss out on Fernet, and you miss the unique edge that elevates the drink. A mint or amaro alternative may provide a similar herbal bitterness but won't replicate Fernet's distinctive character.
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Place your chosen strainer on top of the shaker or mixing glass, ensuring a secure fit. Pour the cocktail into a glass through the strainer, which will catch solid ingredients and ice. If double straining, hold the fine mesh strainer between the shaker and the glass.
Learn everything on how to strainInsert the spoon into the glass until it touches the bottom. Keep the back of the spoon against the inside wall of the glass, and stir in a smooth, circular motion. The goal is to swirl the ice and ingredients together without churning or splashing.
Learn everything on how to stirGarnishing a bar drink depends on the type of garnish and the cocktail. Generally, it involves preparing the garnish (like cutting a citrus wheel or picking a sprig of mint), and then adding it to the drink in a visually appealing way (like perching it on the rim or floating it on top).
Learn everything on garnishingIf you want to drink something else - you can use our AI-augmented search to find the best cocktail for you!
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Rye whiskey originally comes from the northeastern United States and Canada. In the United States, it must be distilled from a mash of at least 51% rye grain to be labeled as rye whiskey.
While standard ice cubes will work well, using larger ice cubes or ice spheres can reduce dilution, keeping your cocktail stronger and colder longer without watering it down.
To garnish with an orange peel, use a vegetable peeler or a paring knife to carefully cut a thin strip of peel. Twist it over the drink to spritz the citrus oils on top and then drop it into the glass or run it along the rim.
It typically takes about 5 minutes to chill a cocktail glass in the freezer. Alternatively, you can fill the glass with ice and cold water while you prepare your cocktail to chill it more quickly.
Fernet Branca is a bitter, aromatic spirit known as an amaro. It is made from a number of herbs and spices which are secret, but it is known for its strong flavor profile which includes myrrh, rhubarb, chamomile, cardamom, aloe, and saffron.
For a non-alcoholic version, you can use a combination of orange juice and a splash of lime juice to mimic the orange flavor of Dry Curacao without the alcohol content.
Stir the cocktail with a bar spoon using a smooth and gentle motion, moving the spoon back and forth without agitating the liquid too much to prevent over-dilution and maintain clarity.
For a fall twist, consider adding a dash of cinnamon syrup or swapping the Dry Curacao for a spiced orange liqueur to emphasize warming spice notes.
The Longshoreman offers a bold flavor profile with the spiciness of rye whiskey, the herbal bitterness of Averna amaro, and the sweet vermouth complexity from Punt e Mes. It's a well-balanced cocktail that's both strong and slightly sweet, with a bitter finish.
The Sputnik cocktail offers a bold and complex taste. The Absolut Vodka provides a clean, crisp base, while the Fernet Branca delivers a bitter, minty, and herbal punch. The lemon juice adds a slight tang, and the sugar syrup balances the bitterness with a subtle sweetness.
The Campari Tonic has a distinctly bitter and herbal taste with a hint of sweetness from the Campari. The tonic water adds a quinine bitterness and a fizzy texture that lightens the drink. It's a balanced mix of bitter, sweet, and bubbly.
The Old Fashioned has a rich, complex taste that is both sweet and bitter. The whiskey provides a strong, warming base, while the sugar and bitters add a touch of sweetness and a hint of spice. The orange and cherry garnish add a subtle fruity note.
The Manhattan cocktail is a well-balanced blend of sweet, bitter, and strong flavors. The sweetness comes from the vermouth, while the bitterness is derived from the aromatic bitters. The whiskey provides a robust and full-bodied taste, making the drink a perfect choice for those who enjoy a strong and complex cocktail.
The Whiskey Sour is a well-balanced cocktail with a tangy, sour taste from the lemon juice, a subtle sweetness from the simple syrup, and a rich, warming sensation from the whiskey. The egg white adds a smooth, creamy texture.
The Oaxacan Old Fashioned is a complex, smoky, and slightly sweet cocktail with a rich, velvety texture. The mezcal provides an earthy, smoky backbone, while the agave syrup adds a touch of sweetness and the Angostura bitters bring a subtle bitterness to balance the flavors.
The Oaxaca cocktail is a complex and well-balanced drink with a smoky, sweet, and slightly bitter taste. It has a rich and velvety texture, with a hint of spice and a lingering warmth.
The Polar Bear is a cocktail with a complex flavor profile. It's strong, with the mezcal providing a smoky base, while the vermouth adds a touch of sweetness. The creme de menthe gives it a refreshing minty taste, and the angelica tincture or celery bitters add a hint of bitterness. It's a cocktail that's both refreshing and warming, perfect for a cold winter's night.
The Hanky Panky cocktail is a well-balanced mix of sweet, bitter, and herbal flavors. The gin provides a strong, juniper-forward base, while the sweet vermouth adds a touch of sweetness and complexity. The Fernet-Branca adds a bitter, herbal edge that lingers on the palate.
The Fernandito cocktail is a refreshing, slightly sweet, and mildly bitter drink with a hint of herbal and citrus notes. It has a smooth, velvety texture and a pleasant, lingering aftertaste.
The San Martin cocktail has a complex and well-balanced taste, with a combination of sweet, sour, and bitter notes. It is refreshing, slightly herbal, and has a hint of citrus.
The Margarita is a well-balanced cocktail with a bright, citrusy flavor. It is both sweet and sour, with the tanginess of lime juice complementing the sweetness of the orange liqueur. The tequila adds a strong, earthy backbone, while the salt rim enhances the overall taste and adds a savory touch.
The Screwdriver cocktail offers a bright, citrusy, and slightly sweet flavor profile. The smoothness of the vodka is complemented by the tangy and refreshing taste of the orange juice, making it a well-balanced and easy-to-drink cocktail.
The Kamikaze cocktail has a refreshing, tangy taste with a hint of sweetness. It is a well-balanced mix of sour, sweet, and strong flavors, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy citrus-based cocktails.
The Sazerac is a complex, strong, and slightly sweet cocktail with a hint of bitterness. The combination of rye whiskey, absinthe, and Peychaud's bitters creates a unique, herbal flavor profile with a smooth, velvety finish.
The Black Manhattan has a rich, bittersweet taste with a smooth, velvety texture. The combination of rye whiskey and Averna amaro creates a complex flavor profile with notes of caramel, chocolate, and herbs. The addition of bitters adds depth and a slight spiciness to the drink.
The Creole cocktail is a complex and well-balanced drink, with a sweet and fruity base, a hint of bitterness from the Campari, and a warm, spicy finish from the rye whiskey. It is both refreshing and invigorating, making it a perfect choice for a warm summer evening or a lively night out.
