The bamboo is an antique gem with a surprising twist it has a split base, and no base spirit Its smooth and easy to drink, without the high alcohol content of other spirit-forward drinks. Our favorite version of the bamboo recipe comes from master mixologist joaqun sim. He adds a mere teaspoon of simple syrup its a subtle tweak, but it opens up the flavors of the sherry and vermouth and adds a little bit of texture. Sim calls for a rich (2: 1) simple syrup. If you have 1: 1 syrup, you can add a little more, or just use the amount stated in the recipe for a slightly less sweet drink. The sherry you choose should be a very dry one, like a fino. If you do use a sweeter sherry, you may wish to adjust or omit the simple syrup.