Alaska Cocktail Drink

Alaska Cocktail

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

If you’re looking for something different, try this Alaska cocktail recipe! It’s a delicious drink loaded with unique ingredients and a breeze to whip up.

Alaska Cocktail Recipe

This easy Alaska cocktail recipe will warm you up! It's the perfect winter drink with Old Tom Gin, yellow Chartreuse, and orange bitters.

Prep time:

1 minute

Mixing time:

1 minute

Servings:

1

Calories:

185 kl

Ingredients

  • oz Old Tom Gin
  • ¾ oz Yellow Chartreuse
  • 2 dashes of orange bitters
  • Lemon twist, for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Cocktail Glass
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Stirrer or Bar Spoon
  • Mixing Glass

Instructions

  • Chill the Glass: Place your cocktail glass in the freezer for a few minutes or stir some ice cubes in it to chill.
  • Add Orange bitters: Drop 2 dashes of orange bitters in a mixing glass.
  • Add Yellow Chartreuse: Measure and pour ¾ oz Yellow Chartreuse.
  • Add Gin: Pour 1½ oz Old Tom Gin into the mixing glass.
  • Add Ice: Fill your mixing glass with ice.
  • Mix: With a bar spoon stir the ingredients well.
  • Prep Glass: Remove your cocktail glass from the freezer or discard the ice.
  • Strain: Strain the mixture into your chilled cocktail glass.
  • Garnish: Twist a lemon peel over the top of the drink to release its oils, then drop it in or place it on the rim as garnish.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Old Tom Gin: Any Gin will work just fine but if you're out of Gin, vodka can be used as a substitute. It will give a different flavor profile but still works well with the other ingredients.
  • Yellow Chartreuse: Green Chartreuse can be used instead of yellow if you prefer a stronger herbal flavor and higher alcohol content.
  • Orange Bitters: If you don't have orange bitters, Angostura bitters can be an alternative. They'll add a different flavor profile but still bring complexity to the cocktail.

Making a Pitcher of Alaska Cocktail:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 12 oz of Old Tom Gin, 6 oz of yellow Chartreuse, and 16 dashes of orange bitters.
  • Mix: Combine the Gin, yellow Chartreuse, and orange bitters in a large pitcher with ice cubes. Stir well.
  • Serve: Strain the mixture into individual chilled cocktail glasses, garnish with a lemon twist, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Gin Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic gin substitute; several on the market mimic the botanical flavors of Gin quite well.
  • Yellow Chartreuse Substitute: For a non-alcoholic version, you can make a simple syrup infused with herbal tea to mimic the herbal notes of Yellow Chartreuse.
  • Orange Bitters Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic bitter or make your own by infusing water with orange peel and spices like cloves and star anise.
  • Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.

Making it Vegan:

The Alaska Cocktail is naturally vegan as it contains no animal products. However, always check your ingredients' labels to ensure they're suitable for vegans. Some brands may use animal products in their production process.

Nutrition Facts

Calories
185
% Daily Value*
Sodium
 
0.4
mg
0
%
Carbohydrates
 
9
g
3
%
Sugar
 
8
g
9
%
Potassium
 
1
mg
0
%
Iron
 
0.02
mg
0
%

 

Alaska Cocktail Drink

Alaska Cocktail Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
Jump to Video
This easy Alaska cocktail recipe will warm you up! It's the perfect winter drink with Old Tom Gin, yellow Chartreuse, and orange bitters.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 185

Ingredients
 

  • oz Old Tom Gin
  • ¾ oz Yellow Chartreuse
  • 2 dashes of orange bitters
  • Lemon twist - for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Cocktail Glass
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Stirrer or Bar Spoon
  • Mixing Glass

Instructions

  • Chill the Glass: Place your cocktail glass in the freezer for a few minutes or stir some ice cubes in it to chill.
  • Add Orange bitters: Drop 2 dashes of orange bitters in a mixing glass.
  • Add Yellow Chartreuse: Measure and pour ¾ oz Yellow Chartreuse.
  • Add Gin: Pour 1½ oz Old Tom Gin into the mixing glass.
  • Add Ice: Fill your mixing glass with ice.
  • Mix: With a bar spoon stir the ingredients well.
  • Prep Glass: Remove your cocktail glass from the freezer or discard the ice.
  • Strain: Strain the mixture into your chilled cocktail glass.
  • Garnish: Twist a lemon peel over the top of the drink to release its oils, then drop it in or place it on the rim as garnish.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Old Tom Gin: Any Gin will work just fine but if you're out of Gin, vodka can be used as a substitute. It will give a different flavor profile but still works well with the other ingredients.
  • Yellow Chartreuse: Green Chartreuse can be used instead of yellow if you prefer a stronger herbal flavor and higher alcohol content.
  • Orange Bitters: If you don't have orange bitters, Angostura bitters can be an alternative. They'll add a different flavor profile but still bring complexity to the cocktail.

Making a Pitcher of Alaska Cocktail:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 12 oz of Old Tom Gin, 6 oz of yellow Chartreuse, and 16 dashes of orange bitters.
  • Mix: Combine the Gin, yellow Chartreuse, and orange bitters in a large pitcher with ice cubes. Stir well.
  • Serve: Strain the mixture into individual chilled cocktail glasses, garnish with a lemon twist, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Gin Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic gin substitute; several on the market mimic the botanical flavors of Gin quite well.
  • Yellow Chartreuse Substitute: For a non-alcoholic version, you can make a simple syrup infused with herbal tea to mimic the herbal notes of Yellow Chartreuse.
  • Orange Bitters Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic bitter or make your own by infusing water with orange peel and spices like cloves and star anise.
  • Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.

Making it Vegan:

The Alaska Cocktail is naturally vegan as it contains no animal products. However, always check your ingredients' labels to ensure they're suitable for vegans. Some brands may use animal products in their production process.

What is an Alaska cocktail?

An Alaska cocktail is a classic gin cocktail made of Old Tom Gin, yellow Chartreuse, and orange bitters. It’s not particularly difficult to make, as it only requires three ingredients and a simple stirring technique. The Alaska cocktail stands out due to its use of yellow Chartreuse, a French liqueur that gives the drink its distinctive herbal flavor.

A side shot of an Alaska cocktail in a coupe glass on a wooden table with a cigar on the side and a black background

What is an Alaska cocktail made of – The ingredients

An Alaska cocktail requires the following ingredients:

  • Gin: The primary spirit in the cocktail, it provides a strong, juniper-forward base.
  • Yellow Chartreuse: A French liqueur that adds a unique herbal complexity and sweetness to the drink.
  • Orange Bitters: Enhances the overall flavor profile with a subtle citrus note.
  • Lemon Twist: Used as a garnish, it imparts a fresh, zesty aroma to enhance the drinking experience.

Old Tom Gin, yellow Chartreuse, and orange bitters laid out on a white bar table

How do you make an Alaska cocktail?

Use our straightforward guide to mix up your own Alaska cocktail:

1
<p>Chill your cocktail glass by stirring some ice cubes in it.</p>

Chill your cocktail glass by stirring some ice cubes in it.

2
<p>Start by adding a few dashes of orange bitters into your mixing glass. The bitters will provide a complex flavor base and balance out the sweetness of the other ingredients.</p>

Start by adding a few dashes of orange bitters into your mixing glass. The bitters will provide a complex flavor base and balance out the sweetness of the other ingredients.

3
<p>Now, pour in 0.75 oz of Yellow Chartreuse liqueur. This herbal liqueur will give your cocktail a unique, aromatic flavor profile.</p>

Now, pour in 0.75 oz of Yellow Chartreuse liqueur. This herbal liqueur will give your cocktail a unique, aromatic flavor profile.

4
<p>Finally, add 1.5 oz of Old Tom Gin into the mix. The Gin is the main spirit in this cocktail, providing a strong, crisp base.</p>

Finally, add 1.5 oz of Old Tom Gin into the mix. The Gin is the main spirit in this cocktail, providing a strong, crisp base.

5
<p>Once all the ingredients are in the mixing glass, fill it with ice and stir well. This will chill the cocktail and help blend the flavors.</p>

Once all the ingredients are in the mixing glass, fill it with ice and stir well. This will chill the cocktail and help blend the flavors.

6
<p>Strain the cocktail into your chilled cocktail glass.</p>

Strain the cocktail into your chilled cocktail glass.

7
<p>For the finishing touch, twist a lemon peel over the top of the cocktail to release its oils, </p>

For the finishing touch, twist a lemon peel over the top of the cocktail to release its oils,

8
<p>Then drop it in or place it on the rim as garnish. This will add a final citrus aroma and flavor, perfectly rounding off your Alaska cocktail.</p>

Then drop it in or place it on the rim as garnish. This will add a final citrus aroma and flavor, perfectly rounding off your Alaska cocktail.

History and Origin of the Alaska Cocktail

The first recorded mention of the Alaska Cocktail appears in 1913 in a book called “Drinks” by Jacques Straub. Straub was a wine steward at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City, a hotspot for innovative mixology during the early 20th century. His book included hundreds of cocktail recipes, including one for an intriguing concoction of Gin, yellow Chartreuse, and orange bitters—the ingredients that make up the Alaska Cocktail.

An Alaska cocktail, shot from above, in a coupe glass on a beige surface surrounded by Old Tom Gin, yellow Chartreuse, and orange bitters

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FAQ

How many calories are in an Alaska cocktail?
An Alaska cocktail typically contains around 186 calories. However, this can vary slightly depending on the specific brands of alcohol used.
How strong is an Alaska cocktail?
The strength of an Alaska cocktail can vary based on the ratio of ingredients, but it generally has an Alcohol By Volume (ABV) of about 30% and a proof of 60. This makes it a strong cocktail.
What type of alcohol is used in an Alaska cocktail?
The primary alcohol used in an Alaska cocktail is Gin. Yellow Chartreuse, a French liqueur made by the Carthusian Monks since 1737, is also a key ingredient.
In what type of glass is an Alaska cocktail served?
Traditionally, an Alaska cocktail is served in a chilled coupe glass. This glass's shape helps maintain the temperature and enhance the aromatic experience.
What does an Alaska cocktail taste like?
An Alaska cocktail offers a complex flavor profile. The Gin provides a crisp, juniper-forward base, while the Yellow Chartreuse adds herbal and honeyed sweetness. It's a balanced mix of sweet, bitter, and botanical flavors.
What is the ratio of ingredients in an Alaska cocktail?
The standard ratio for an Alaska cocktail is 2 parts gin to 1 part Yellow Chartreuse, and a couple of dashes of orange bitters. This ensures that the Gin's botanicals shine through without being overwhelmed by the Chartreuse.
How is an Alaska cocktail served with ice?
An Alaska cocktail is typically stirred with ice to chill and dilute it slightly, then strained into a chilled glass without ice - this serving style is often called "up."

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