The Diplomat's Reserve cocktail in a coupe or rocks garnished with orange peel
Perfect For
Thursday, February 19, 2026

The Diplomat's Reserve

When You Need to Impress Without Showing Off

Want to look like you know your way around a bar cart without getting too fussy? The Diplomat's Reserve delivers serious complexity with a surprisingly short ingredient list. It's the kind of drink that makes people lean in and ask what you're drinking. The combination of aged rum and Cognac creates this beautiful foundation of dried fruit, vanilla, and oak that feels luxurious without being heavy. Sweet vermouth weaves in herbal notes, while Cherry Heering adds just enough fruity sweetness to keep things interesting. Then come the bitters, the real secret weapons here. Cardamom brings warmth and exotic spice, but it's the celery bitters that really make this drink memorable, adding an unexpected savory quality that keeps your palate engaged sip after sip. This is your move when you want something contemplative, maybe after a good dinner or when you're settling in for the evening with a book or good conversation. Mix one up and see why sometimes the most impressive drinks are the ones that don't try too hard.
old-fashioned·rum

The Diplomat's Reserve

Strong·coupe or rocks
spirit-forwardsweetspicyherbal

Ingredients

  • 1 ozaged rum (Jamaican or Barbados)
  • 1 ozCognac (VS or VSOP)
  • 0.5 ozsweet vermouth
  • 0.25 ozCherry Heering
  • 2 dashescardamom bitters
  • 2 dashescelery bitters

Method

  1. 1.Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice
  2. 2.Stir for 30-40 seconds until well-chilled and properly diluted
  3. 3.Strain into a chilled coupe or over a large ice cube in a rocks glass
  4. 4.Express orange peel oils over the drink and garnish
Garnishorange peel

Note: This sophisticated sipper combines the vanilla and molasses notes of aged rum with the grape-forward richness of Cognac. The sweet vermouth adds herbal complexity, while Cherry Heering provides a subtle fruity bridge between the spirits. Cardamom bitters bring warm, exotic spice notes, and celery bitters add an unexpected savory depth. Best enjoyed as an after-dinner drink or during conversation.

#occasion#entertaining#rum#cocktail#recipe#craft-cocktail#winter

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