The OpeningCocktail recipe
Rating
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
The Opening sits in the whiskey-and-vermouth family of stirred, spirit-forward cocktails, taking a familiar backbone and nudging it into a sweeter, more theatrical direction. While it doesn’t have a widely documented origin story, it reads like a modern, house-style variation on the classic whiskey-and-fortified-wine template—built for drinkers who like their strength polished with a touch of syrupy colour and charm.
You’ll find the whiskey leads with warmth and structure, while red vermouth brings a rounded, winey sweetness that softens the edges and adds depth. Grenadine layers in a bright, concentrated sweetness that pushes the drink toward a richer, more dessert-leaning profile, amplifying the vermouth’s fruitiness and giving the whole mix a smoother, more approachable finish.
Served in a cocktail glass, this is one to reach for when you want something short, bold, and a little indulgent—ideal as an after-dinner pour or a slow-sipping opener to an evening in. It suits anyone who enjoys Manhattan-style drinks but prefers a sweeter, softer landing.
Microbadges
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Tags
Cocktail Colin says:
Whiskey leads with warm grain and oak, rounded by red vermouth’s herbal wine notes, while grenadine adds a bright pomegranate-like sweetness that pushes the finish toward candied fruit. It works because the vermouth’s bitterness reins in the grenadine and keeps the whiskey from feeling syrupy; ideal for drinkers who like spirit-forward cocktails with a noticeably sweeter, softer edge.
Method
How to make a The Opening
- Whiskey 60ml, Red vermouth 30ml, Grenadine 15ml
-
- Stir all ingredients together with ice in a mixing glass
-
- Then strain into a chilled cocktail glass and serve
Power tips
Elevate the The Opening with these master mixologist tips
Upgrade to premium
And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.
Find out more- Upgrade to premium to receive power tips from top bartenders around the world. Raise you mixology game.
- Read the tweaks that take this simple cocktail to the next level of greatness. Become the next best mixologist which people all talk about.
Your private tasting notes
Featured in
FAQ's
Why is The Opening stirred and not shaken?
The Opening is stirred instead of shaken to maintain the clarity and texture of the cocktail. Stirring gently combines the ingredients, such as Grenadine, Red vermouth, and Whiskey, without introducing too much air, which can lead to a clearer, smoother drink, preserving the intended flavor profile.
Can I use a different type of whiskey for The Opening?
Yes, you can use different types of whiskey to slightly alter the flavor profile of The Opening. While the original recipe may call for a specific type, using a bourbon, rye, or even a Scotch can introduce unique nuances to the cocktail, making it more tailored to your taste preferences.
What is the ideal serving temperature for The Opening?
The Opening should be served cold to ensure the flavors are crisp and refreshing. Chilling the cocktail glass beforehand can also enhance the drinking experience, making the cocktail more enjoyable, especially in warmer climates or seasons.
How does the alcohol content of The Opening compare to other cocktails?
With an alcohol content of 27.43%, The Opening falls into the medium-strong category of cocktails. It is stronger than light cocktails like a Mimosa or Aperol Spritz, which typically have lower alcohol content, but not as strong as very potent drinks like a straight martini or a Manhattan.
What are some customization ideas for The Opening?
To customize The Opening, consider adding a dash of bitters to introduce complexity or substituting the grenadine with a different syrup for a new flavor profile. Experimenting with the vermouth component, such as using a dry or white vermouth, can also create interesting variations. Additionally, garnishing with a citrus twist or cherry can enhance both the aesthetic and flavor.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Access to Cocktail Colin; ask Cocktail Colin anything on an individual cocktail and he'll give you the answers you need.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Have you tried our Wordpress Plugin?
Download our plugin and embed cocktail recipes directly onto your own site or blog.
Choose from our whole recipe database, or choose a specific cocktail made with a certain ingredient, and let us place a beautiful recipe on your own site.
Find out moreYou might also like
Experience this perfect Scotch and soda balance.
Scotch Whisky Highball
Whiskey, Soda water
Relish the scrumptiously sweet blend of whisky and berries.
Blackberry Bramble
Whiskey, Lime, Sugar, Blackberries
Experience this elegant blend of whiskey and sherry.
Rapscallion
Whiskey, Aniseed liqueur, Sherry (dry)
Experience this smooth blend of whisky and cola
Whisky and coke
Whiskey, Cola
Create a cocktail
Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.
Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.
Start creatingBuild your bar
Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.
Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.
Create My Bar
Cocktail Colin
Your cocktail expert
Hi! I'm Cocktail Colin
Ask me anything about this cocktail - how to make it, substitutions, variations, or any other questions!
Become a member to access Cocktail Colin
Become a member (for free) to pick Cocktail Colin's cocktail filled brain on everything on this cocktail, from substitutions, if you can use what you have, to serving suggestions and more.
Become a member
Comments