20th Century Cocktail Drink

20th Century Cocktail

A shot of Gavin Wrigley looking to the camera in a dimly lit room
Written by
Gavin Wrigley
Andrea
Tested by
Andrea Ottaiano

Craving a fancy drink? The 20th Century Cocktail recipe is what you need! Use simple ingredients to make this delicious cocktail.

20th Century Cocktail Recipe

Savor an elegant drink with the 20th Century Cocktail recipe! Blend gin, Lillet Blanc, crème de cacao, and lemon juice for a delightful spring cocktail.

Prep time:

1 minute

Mixing time:

1 minute

Servings:

1

Calories:

211 kl

Ingredients

  • oz Gin
  • ¾ oz Lillet Blanc
  • ¾ oz Crème de Cacao
  • ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
  • Ice cubes
  • Lemon twist, for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Cocktail Shaker
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Strainer & Fine-strainer
  • Coupe Glass

Instructions

  • Prep Glass: Chill your coupe glass.
  • Add Lemon Juice: Squeeze and measure ¾ oz fresh lemon juice, then add it to the shaker.
  • Add Lillet Blanc: Measure and pour ¾ oz Lillet Blanc into the shaker.
  • Add Crème de Cacao: Add ¾ oz Crème de Cacao to the mix.
  • Add Gin: Pour 1½ oz Gin into the shaker.
  • Prep Shaker: Fill your cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
  • Shake Well: Shake the mixture vigorously for about 15 seconds.
  • Strain: Fine strain the cocktail into a chilled coupe glass.
  • Garnish: Place a lemon twist on the rim or in the glass for garnish.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Gin: If you don't have gin, try using vodka for a cleaner taste, though it will lack the botanical complexity.
  • Lillet Blanc: I've used dry vermouth instead of Lillet Blanc in a pinch; it works but changes the flavor profile slightly.
  • Crème de Cacao: You can use white chocolate liqueur as an alternative; it gives the drink a different but interesting twist.
  • Lemon Juice: Bottled lemon juice can work if you don't have fresh lemons, but fresh juice always tastes better.

Making a Pitcher of 20th Century Cocktail:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all ingredients by 8. That would be 12 oz of gin, 6 oz of Lillet Blanc, 6 oz of crème de cacao, and 6 oz of fresh lemon juice.
  • Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the gin, Lillet Blanc, crème de cacao, and lemon juice with ice. Stir well.
  • Serve: Strain the mixture into chilled coupe glasses, garnish with a lemon twist, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Gin Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic gin substitute; these are available and reasonably mimic gin's botanicals.
  • Lillet Blanc Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic white wine or grape juice with a splash of tonic syrup for some complexity.
  • Crème de Cacao Substitute: Use chocolate syrup or a non-alcoholic chocolate liqueur alternative.
  • Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.

Nutrition Facts

Calories
211
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
0.1
g
0
%
Saturated Fat
 
0.01
g
0
%
Sodium
 
1
mg
0
%
Carbohydrates
 
15
g
5
%
Fiber
 
0.1
g
0
%
Sugar
 
8
g
9
%
Potassium
 
23
mg
1
%
Protein
 
0.1
g
0
%
Vitamin A
 
1
IU
0
%
Vitamin C
 
8
mg
10
%
Calcium
 
1
mg
0
%
Iron
 
0.04
mg
0
%

 

20th Century Cocktail Drink

20th Century Cocktail Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
Jump to Video
Savor an elegant drink with the 20th Century Cocktail recipe! Blend gin, Lillet Blanc, crème de cacao, and lemon juice for a delightful spring cocktail.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 211

Ingredients
 

  • oz Gin
  • ¾ oz Lillet Blanc
  • ¾ oz Crème de Cacao
  • ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
  • Ice cubes
  • Lemon twist - for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Cocktail Shaker
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Strainer & Fine-strainer
  • Coupe Glass

Instructions

  • Prep Glass: Chill your coupe glass.
  • Add Lemon Juice: Squeeze and measure ¾ oz fresh lemon juice, then add it to the shaker.
  • Add Lillet Blanc: Measure and pour ¾ oz Lillet Blanc into the shaker.
  • Add Crème de Cacao: Add ¾ oz Crème de Cacao to the mix.
  • Add Gin: Pour 1½ oz Gin into the shaker.
  • Prep Shaker: Fill your cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
  • Shake Well: Shake the mixture vigorously for about 15 seconds.
  • Strain: Fine strain the cocktail into a chilled coupe glass.
  • Garnish: Place a lemon twist on the rim or in the glass for garnish.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Gin: If you don't have gin, try using vodka for a cleaner taste, though it will lack the botanical complexity.
  • Lillet Blanc: I've used dry vermouth instead of Lillet Blanc in a pinch; it works but changes the flavor profile slightly.
  • Crème de Cacao: You can use white chocolate liqueur as an alternative; it gives the drink a different but interesting twist.
  • Lemon Juice: Bottled lemon juice can work if you don't have fresh lemons, but fresh juice always tastes better.

Making a Pitcher of 20th Century Cocktail:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all ingredients by 8. That would be 12 oz of gin, 6 oz of Lillet Blanc, 6 oz of crème de cacao, and 6 oz of fresh lemon juice.
  • Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the gin, Lillet Blanc, crème de cacao, and lemon juice with ice. Stir well.
  • Serve: Strain the mixture into chilled coupe glasses, garnish with a lemon twist, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Gin Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic gin substitute; these are available and reasonably mimic gin's botanicals.
  • Lillet Blanc Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic white wine or grape juice with a splash of tonic syrup for some complexity.
  • Crème de Cacao Substitute: Use chocolate syrup or a non-alcoholic chocolate liqueur alternative.
  • Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.

What is a 20th Century Cocktail?

A 20th-century cocktail is a gin-based drink made of gin, Lillet Blanc, crème de cacao, and fresh lemon juice. It’s not difficult to make because it involves simple ingredients and straightforward steps like shaking and straining. This elegant drink offers a unique blend of botanical, citrus, and chocolate flavors, setting it apart from other classic cocktails.

A side shot of a 20th Century cocktail in a coupe glass on a straw placemat placed on a wooden surface surrounded by three oranges and a long pot with a plant

What is a 20th Century Cocktail made of – The ingredients

A 20th Century Cocktail requires these ingredients:

  • Gin: Provides the botanical base and primary spirit for the cocktail.
  • Lillet Blanc: Delivers a light, floral, and slightly sweet note that balances the drink.
  • Crème de Cacao: Introduces a subtle chocolate flavor that complements the other ingredients.
  • Fresh Lemon Juice: Brings a refreshing citrus acidity to brighten the cocktail.

Gin, Lillet Blanc, Creme de Cacao, lemon, and lemon juice laid out on a white bar table

How do you make a 20th Century Cocktail?

Follow our instructions to craft a 20th Century Cocktail easily:

1
<p>Chill your service glass.</p>

Chill your service glass.

2
<p>Squeeze and pour ¾ oz of fresh lemon juice into the shaker.</p>

Squeeze and pour ¾ oz of fresh lemon juice into the shaker.

3
<p>Measure and pour ¾ oz of Lillet Blanc into the shaker.</p>

Measure and pour ¾ oz of Lillet Blanc into the shaker.

4
<p>Add ¾ oz of crème de cacao to the shaker.</p>

Add ¾ oz of crème de cacao to the shaker.

5
<p>Pour 1½ oz of gin into the shaker.</p>

Pour 1½ oz of gin into the shaker.

6
<p>Fill your shaker with ice.</p>

Fill your shaker with ice.

7
<p>Shake the mixture vigorously for about 15 seconds.</p>

Shake the mixture vigorously for about 15 seconds.

8
<p>Fine strain the cocktail into a chilled coupe glass.</p>

Fine strain the cocktail into a chilled coupe glass.

9
<p>Garnish with a lemon twist if desired.</p>

Garnish with a lemon twist if desired.

History and Origin of the 20th Century Cocktail

The 20th Century Cocktail dates back to the early 1930s. British bartender C.A. Tuck created it, naming the drink after the famous 20th Century Limited train between New York City and Chicago. The cocktail gained popularity for its unique blend of gin, Lillet Blanc, crème de cacao, and lemon juice, offering a sophisticated yet approachable flavor profile. This elegant drink quickly became a favorite among cocktail enthusiasts and remains a classic choice today.

A 20th Century cocktail, shot from above, in a coupe glass on a grey marmol surface surrounded by Gin, Lillet Blanc, Creme de Cacao, lemon, and lemon juice

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FAQ

How many calories are in a 20th-century Cocktail?
Depending on the specific ingredients and quantities used, a 20th-century Cocktail typically contains around 200-250 calories.
How strong is a 20th Century Cocktail?
The cocktail has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of approximately 15%, translating to about 30 proof.
What alcohol is used in a 20th-century Cocktail?
Gin is the primary alcohol in this cocktail, which is complemented by Lillet Blanc and crème de cacao.
In which glass is a 20th Century Cocktail served?
Serve the 20th Century Cocktail in a chilled coupe glass.
What does a 20th Century Cocktail taste like?
This cocktail offers a balanced flavor profile with botanical notes from the gin, floral sweetness from Lillet Blanc, subtle chocolate hints from crème de cacao, and refreshing citrus from lemon juice.
What is the ratio of ingredients in a 20th Century Cocktail?
The typical ratio is 2 parts gin to 1 pint each of Lillet Blanc, crème de cacao, and fresh lemon juice.
How is a 20th-century cocktail served?
It is served "up," meaning it is shaken with ice and then strained into a glass without ice.

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