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Palmetto
A stirred, sophisticated Rum Manhattan featuring sweet vermouth.
Base spirit
Rum
Style
Spirit-forward
Glassware
Coupe
Technique
Stir
The Palmetto is to aged rum what the Manhattan is to whiskey: a spirit-forward showcase of barrel aging and herbal complexity. Pairing aged rum with sweet vermouth and orange bitters creates a profile rich in vanilla, dried fruit, and oak spices. It demonstrates rum's versatility as a sipping spirit, moving it out of the tiki mug and into the cocktail glass. It is drier and more elegant than most tropical rum drinks.
Did you know?
“The drink appears in the *Savoy Cocktail Book* (1930), proving that high-end European bars were treating aged rum with the same respect as whiskey before the tiki boom.”
Source:Savoy Cocktail Book
Bartender's Note
Use a rum with significant age (5+ years) to stand up to the vermouth; white rum will get lost.
Missing a bottle? See smart swaps in Learn.
How to make the Palmetto
- 1Add rum, vermouth, and bitters to a mixing glass with ice
- 2Stir until silky and cold
- 3Strain into a chilled coupe
- 4Garnish with an orange twist
