Metropole

The Metropole blends the oak and pear notes of cognac with the fruity-herbal notes of dry vermouth, and adds two kinds of bitters to bring out the flavors.

The trick with vermouth – when you’re not using just a tiny amount in a dry gin martini, that is – is to invest in a good vermouth (they’re not that expensive, anyway). Cinzano makes a good dry vermouth, for example. You can save money on the cognac, since cocktail cognacs need only be reasonably drinkable.

Recipe

• 1 ounce cognac
• 1 ounce dry vermouth
• Dash of Angostura bitters
• Dash of orange bitters

Pour everything into a martini glass and stir. Garnish with an orange wedge.