Head to head

Adonis vs. Bamboo

Adonis and Bamboo side by side: what changes in the recipe, the balance, the strength and the calories.

The difference, by the numbers

Both have dry sherry and orange bitters. Only the Adonis has sweet vermouth; only the Bamboo has dry vermouth and Angostura bitters. In parts, an Adonis is 1 dry sherry and 2 vermouth; a Bamboo is 1 vermouth and 1 dry sherry. By volume, the Adonis is 100% fortified wine and bitter; the Bamboo is 100% fortified wine and bitter. That makes them close cousins on the ratio map.

The Bamboo is the stronger drink in the glass (13.6% ABV against 12.7%), but being smaller it holds about the same alcohol (0.88 and 0.95 standard drinks). The Adonis has more calories (about 124 against 100) and more sugar (9.2 g against 1.6 g). Both are stirred and served in a coupe.

Adonis

Martinis & Manhattans · Sweet vermouth

Strength: 12.7%
Std. drinks: 0.88
Calories: 124
Sugar: 9.2 g

1 ozDry sherry30 ml
2 ozSweet vermouth60 ml
2 dashesOrange bitters

Stirred, served in a coupe. About 4 oz (123 ml) in the glass.

The ratio · 1 : 2

Dry sherryVermouth

Full Adonis recipe →

Highlighted: not in the Bamboo.

Bamboo

Martinis & Manhattans · Dry vermouth

Strength: 13.6%
Std. drinks: 0.95
Calories: 100
Sugar: 1.6 g

1½ ozDry vermouth45 ml
1½ ozDry sherry45 ml
2 dashesOrange bitters
2 dropsAngostura bitters

Stirred, served in a coupe. About 4 oz (124 ml) in the glass. Garnish: A lemon twist, and an olive if you like.

The ratio · 1 : 1

VermouthDry sherry

Full Bamboo recipe →

Highlighted: not in the Adonis.

On the ratio map

Each drink sits nearer the corners it has more of: spirit, vermouth and bitter, citrus, mixer, syrup or liqueur. The gray dots are the other classics. Explore the full ratio map.

More head to heads

Adonis vs.

Bamboo vs.

Sherry Cobbler

All head to heads →