Baltimore Bang Cocktail

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 11/30/21
Baltimore Bang Cocktail Recipe

S&C Design Studios

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

The Baltimore bang cocktail is an interesting, classically styled drink with a satisfying flavor. If you're looking for a twist on the whiskey sour, it is an excellent option. The recipe is simple and brings in a sweet, fruity flavor that is delightfully pleasant.

For this cocktail, you'll pair a smooth bourbon with apricot brandy. In classic sour drink tradition, lemon juice and simple syrup are included, offering sweet and sour accents to create a lively drink. It comes together quickly and each ingredient can be tweaked to suit your personal taste.

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In a cocktail shaker, pour the whiskey, apricot brandy, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Fill with ice.

  3. Shake well.

  4. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

  5. Garnish with a skewered orange slice and cherry flag. Serve and enjoy.

Tips

  • Try various bourbons in this drink to see which style you enjoy most. It's fabulous with a really bold whiskey because the whiskey punches right through the sweet fruits. Then again, you may enjoy it with a super smooth brand. It's definitely worth exploring the options.
  • There are a number of good apricot brandy options available today and most will be sweetened liqueurs rather than true eau-de-vie fruit brandy.
  • Depending on the apricot brandy you pour, you may need to back off the sugar a little.
  • Pour 1/4 ounce of simple syrup rather than the sugar if you prefer. It's a popular option because the sugar is already dissolved and mixes better in cocktails.
  • This cocktail (and any served in a martini glass) is definitely best when the glass is chilled. Not only does it keep the drink cool, but it also helps marry the flavors. If you don't have one prechilled, place a couple of ice cubes in the glass while you mix the drink. Discard them before straining.

Recipe Variations

  • Serve the Baltimore bang on the rocks in an old-fashioned glass if you like.
  • An orange twist is an elegant garnish option.
  • A popular variation on this drink concentrates on the lemon juice rather than the apricot brandy. To make it, pour 1 1/2 ounces of bourbon, 1/2 ounce of apricot brandy, 3/4 ounce of lemon juice, and 1/4 ounce of simple syrup.

How Strong Is a Baltimore Bang Cocktail?

This cocktail definitely has a "bang" because it is not a light drink. When made with an 80-proof whiskey, its alcohol content falls in the 25 percent ABV (50 proof) range. That's not quite as strong as a Manhattan or old-fashioned, but it's pretty close.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
244 Calories
0g Fat
19g Carbs
0g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 244
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 2mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 19g 7%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 16g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 22mg 112%
Calcium 13mg 1%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 81mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)