Kicker
Kicker is made with white rum, applejack and sweet vermouth in a stirred split-base cocktail, chilled for serving.
Built to the standard modern spec; not yet tested in our kitchen. How we test.
The recipe.
Scaling adjusts quantities only. Prepare shaken drinks in individual portions.
Let’s make a good drink.
Chill a coupe and prepare the garnish before mixing.
Add all measured ingredients to a mixing glass.
Add ice and stir until thoroughly cold and gently diluted, tasting with a clean spoon if needed.
Strain into the prepared coupe over fresh ice.
Complete the source’s garnish presentation, then serve immediately.
A thoughtful finish
- Use the selected stirred modern preparation and chill the serving ice separately.
- Keep opened vermouth refrigerated so its flavor stays fresh between servings.
- Use solid ice and stir smoothly; stop once the mixture is cold and pleasantly diluted.
Common mistakes
- Treating this as a rum-only drink omits the applejack component that gives it its split base.
- Oxidized vermouth can taste dull or stale even when the spirit and measurements are correct.
- Stirring with mostly melted ice can make the drink watery before it becomes properly cold.
A few good questions.
What is in a Kicker?
Kicker is made with white rum, applejack and sweet vermouth in a stirred split-base cocktail.
Can I scale a Kicker for more servings?
Multiply every measured ingredient by the same serving count. Prepare the measured still ingredients ahead if useful, but chill, shake or stir each serving as directed; add any carbonated finish at service.
Can I make this with an old bottle of vermouth?
Fresh, refrigerated vermouth gives a better result. If an opened bottle tastes oxidized or stale, replace it before judging the recipe’s balance.
What glass should I use for a Kicker?
Use the assigned coupe for this directory serving. Where that differs from the source’s presentation, the version note labels the serving adaptation.
Variations
- Another vermouth producer — Editorial bottle variation: use the same vermouth styles and measures from another producer; botanical character and sweetness can change.
- Over a large ice cube — Editorial serving variation: serve the same measured mixture over a large fresh cube in a rocks glass; continued ice melt will change its dilution over time.
Where it comes from
Kicker is made with white rum, applejack and sweet vermouth in a stirred split-base cocktail, chilled for serving.
Sources
- Difford’s Guide — Kicker Cocktail Recipe (reference) link
Strength. About 1.68 US standard drinks at an estimated 28.8% ABV, estimated from the ingredients and technique, not measured. What that means.
A little character in every sip.
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