Diamondback

Diamondback

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A bold, spirit-forward classic cocktail blending rye whiskey, apple brandy, and Yellow Chartreuse for complex herbal and fruity flavors.

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Nick & Nora Glass

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Recipe

1 cocktail (117ml)
  • Rye Whiskey 
    45 ml
  • Apple Brandy 
    22.5 ml
  • Yellow Chartreuse 
    22.5 ml
  • Lemon Peel 
    1 twist

Instructions

Step

Chill a coupe glass in the freezer for several minutes to ensure the cocktail stays cold throughout service.

Step

Add rye whiskey, Calvados, and Yellow Chartreuse to a mixing glass filled with fresh ice.

Step

Stir briskly for 20-30 seconds until well-chilled and properly diluted, maintaining the cocktail’s clarity.

Step

Strain into the chilled coupe glass using a Hawthorne strainer.

Step

Express a lemon twist over the drink and drop it in, or garnish with a brandied cherry for added sweetness.

Equipment

Mixing glass
Jigger
Bar spoon
Hawthorne Strainer

Description

The Diamondback is a sophisticated mid-20th-century cocktail that originated in Baltimore, renowned for its powerful yet balanced combination of American rye whiskey, apple brandy, and French Yellow Chartreuse. This spirit-forward drink showcases the harmony between spicy rye, fruity apple notes, and complex herbal sweetness, creating a layered drinking experience that appeals to those who appreciate bold, well-constructed cocktails.

Nutritional information

1 cocktail (117ml)
Calories
185
ABV
27 %
Alcohol
25.2 g
Carbs
8.5 g
Carbs from Sugar
7.8 g
Fat
0 g
Protein
0 g
Sodium
2 mg
Nutritional information is approximate and includes estimated 30% dilution from ice. Values may vary based on specific brands and preparation methods.

Tips & Notes

  • Use high-proof rye whiskey (like Rittenhouse 100) for the best flavor foundation and to ensure the drink maintains its character after dilution.

  • Yellow Chartreuse is essential - its lighter, sweeter herbal profile balances the drink perfectly, unlike the more intense Green Chartreuse.

  • Proper stirring technique is crucial - stir long enough to achieve dilution but not so much that you over-dilute this spirit-forward cocktail.

  • Quality apple brandy makes a significant difference - seek out bonded applejack or good Calvados for the most complex fruit character.

No, Yellow Chartreuse is essential for this recipe. Green Chartreuse is significantly more intense and would overpower the other ingredients, disrupting the careful balance that makes the Diamondback special.

In American usage, the terms are often interchangeable. Applejack traditionally referred to freeze-concentrated apple wine, while apple brandy is distilled. Modern quality producers like Laird’s make both excellent applejack and apple brandy that work beautifully in this cocktail.

The Diamondback is a potent, spirit-forward cocktail that typically measures around 27% ABV after proper dilution. It’s a sipping cocktail meant to be enjoyed slowly and savored for its complex flavors.

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Cocktail Difficulty Levels

We’ve added a difficulty rating to every cocktail so you’ll know what to expect before you start mixing. It’s not about being “hard” or “easy” in the strict sense—it’s about how much preparation, skill, and hunting for ingredients you’ll need.

  • Beginner – Quick builds or simple shakes with common ingredients you’ll likely already have at home. Perfect for beginners or a casual evening.

  • Intermediate – A bit more technique (stirring, shaking, muddling, layering) and a few extra ingredients. You might need to buy one or two bottles or garnishes you don’t already stock.

  • Advanced – Multiple steps, specialty techniques (infusions, syrups, foams), or rare ingredients. These drinks take more effort and planning, but reward you with something truly impressive.

The rating is based on things like the number of ingredients, how rare they are, and the skills needed to bring the cocktail together.

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Recipe notes

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Quick recipe

Ingredients

  • Rye Whiskey
    45 ml
  • Apple Brandy
    22.5 ml
  • Yellow Chartreuse
    22.5 ml
  • Lemon Peel
    1 twist

Method

  1. Chill a coupe glass in the freezer for several minutes to ensure the cocktail stays cold throughout service.
  2. Add rye whiskey, Calvados, and Yellow Chartreuse to a mixing glass filled with fresh ice.
  3. Stir briskly for 20-30 seconds until well-chilled and properly diluted, maintaining the cocktail's clarity.
  4. Strain into the chilled coupe glass using a Hawthorne strainer.
  5. Express a lemon twist over the drink and drop it in, or garnish with a brandied cherry for added sweetness.