The Oriental

So browsing through Kindred Cocktails they gave me "The Oriental" as a similar drink to whisky sours and I decided to give it a spin.  A margarita like concoction it was only marginally good, I'd really just rather drink a whisky sour or a Margarita.  According to Kindred Cocktails (and my copy of the Savoy Cocktail book) the drink appeared there first and this version was reworked by Gary Reagan in "The Joy of Mixology".

The Oriental
1 1/2 oz Rye -- (Alberta Springs)
3/4 oz Sweet Vermouth -- (Martini)
3/4 oz Cointreau
1/2 oz Lime Juice

The drink was reminiscent of a margarita, but it really fell flat.  It wasn't very balanced, heavy on the citrus notes, vermouth didn't really seem to fit with the other ingredients in some regards, tasted very straightforward.  I think bourbon would make the drink more drinkable...the rye really didn't work.  If you're bored  and feel like something new this is worth toying with, but otherwise it is completely unremarkable.