CLASSIC COCKTAIL · 1800–1849
Gin Cocktail
Gin, sugar, water and bitters — the original cocktail in its botanical form.
early 1800sHistorical classicResearched
The gin cocktail applies the early American cocktail formula to gin, with sugar, water and bitters. It appears in Jerry Thomas’s 1862 guide and was a standard saloon drink before the Martini took over. It is essentially a gin Old Fashioned, and modern bartenders occasionally revive it under that name.
- Gin Old Fashioned
- Martinez
- Martini
THE RECIPE
Ingredients
- Gin60 ml
- Sugar1 tsp
- Water1 tsp
- Orange bitters2 dashes
- Lemon peelto garnish
Method
Dissolve the sugar in water and bitters, add gin and ice, stir until cold and garnish with lemon peel.
Rocks glass · ice · lemon peel