This Addington cocktail recipe wraps dry and sweet vermouth in the crisp bubbles of soda, with a touch of orange bringing a bright accent to its light, refined character — perfect for a moment when you want to feel refreshed.
Recipe & Instructions
Ingredients
Recipe no.008
- Dry vermouth ー 1 oz (30ml)
- Sweet vermouth ー 1 oz (30ml)
- Soda – Full
- Orange peel
- Full = fill the glass about 80–90% full
- Peel = a twist of citrus zest expressed over the drink for aroma
Instructions
Fill the glass with ice and stir with the ice alone to chill it, then discard any excess water while keeping the ice in the glass.
Add the dry vermouth and sweet vermouth, and stir.
Gently top with soda, being careful not to create foam, then give it a light, slow stir to finish. When mixing in carbonated ingredients, stir slowly with just one or two rotations, lifting and lowering the ice to combine everything evenly.
- Technique ｜Stir
- Glass ｜Old Fashioned Glass
- ABV ｜approximately 9–10%
- Best Enjoyed ｜Daytime / Before dinner
- Style ｜On the Rock
About the Addington & Video
Origins
Photo ｜ Henry Addington, former British Prime Minister
The Addington first appeared in Harry Craddock’s 1930 Savoy Cocktail Book, and here’s the honest twist: nobody actually knows who it’s named after. Three competing legends exist, none confirmed.
One points to Henry Addington, British Prime Minister from 1801 to 1804, remembered for negotiating the Peace of Amiens — a truce with France that collapsed within a year, forcing his resignation amid doubt over his ability to lead through renewed war. Some historians read the cocktail’s calm as an echo of that fleeting peace, though it’s a stretch, not fact. Others trace it to The Addington, a prestigious golf club founded in 1913, imagining it as a members’ aperitif. A third theory names a Lord Addington, an aristocrat known for balanced drinks — though no record confirms he existed as described.
I’d rather let the mystery stand than force a tidy answer nobody can prove. The recipe itself is certain: equal parts dry and sweet vermouth, lengthened with soda, finished with an orange twist.
Characteristics
The Addington’s balance comes down to how well its two vermouths play off each other: dry vermouth’s herbal, spiced edge keeps things sharp, while sweet vermouth rounds it out with gentle warmth. That contrast only works because the two styles are made the same way but sweetened differently — pit them against each other in equal parts, and neither overpowers the other.
Soda’s carbonation adds a light, crisp lift that makes this drink dangerously easy to finish before you notice. I’d call it one of the most underrated ways to introduce someone to vermouth-forward drinking, precisely because it never feels heavy.
Orange peel’s brightness opens the first sip, vermouth’s bitterness and sweetness unfold slowly behind it, and soda ties the finish together into something clean and refreshing. Moderate in alcohol and effortless in balance, it’s built for a relaxed moment.
Points, Twists & Food Pairings
- Best Pairings・・・Pair with green olives, thin-sliced prosciutto, or a mild cheese board — the vermouth’s herbal notes love salty, savory bites.
- Mixing Tip・・・Chill dry and sweet vermouth in the fridge beforehand; this keeps dilution low and preserves the drink’s delicate balance.
- Easy Twist・・・Swap soda for tonic water, or add a dash of orange bitters for extra depth and a slightly more aromatic finish.
- Drinking Note・・・Vermouth oxidizes quickly once opened; use a bottle that’s been open less than a month for the freshest, brightest flavor.
Recipe Video
- Recipe Video ｜ Muse Amuse Channel Home
