Astoria Cocktail Drink

Astoria 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 want a sophisticated drink, try the Astoria Cocktail recipe! This easy cocktail has simple ingredients, and you can enjoy it.

Astoria Cocktail Recipe

Combine Gin, dry vermouth, orange bitters, and a lemon twist with this simple recipe for a delightful evening drink.

Prep time:

1 minute

Mixing time:

1 minute

Servings:

1

Calories:

169 kl

Ingredients

  • 1 oz Gin, preferably Old Tom
  • 2 oz Dry Vermouth
  • 2 dashes of Orange Bitters
  • Lemon twist, for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Martini Glass or Coupe
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Stirrer or Bar Spoon
  • Mixing Glass

Instructions

  • Prep Glass: Chill your martini glass or coupe with ice.
  • Add Bitters: Add 2 dashes of Orange Bitters to the mixing glass.
  • Add Gin: Add 1 oz Gin to the mix.
  • Add Vermouth: Measure and pour 2 oz Dry Vermouth into the mixing glass.
  • Add Ice: Fill your mixing glass with ice.
  • Stir Gently: Use a bar spoon to stir the ingredients gently for about 30 seconds.
  • Strain and Serve: Empty the ice water from your chilled glass and strain the mixture.
  • Garnish: Express a lemon peel on the drink and place one on the rim of the glass for garnish.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Gin: If you don't have Gin, try using vodka for a cleaner, less botanical flavor. I've also experimented with white rum for a unique twist.
  • Dry Vermouth: You can use sweet vermouth in a pinch, but it will change the drink's character. Add an extra dash of orange bitters to balance the sweetness.
  • Orange Bitters: If you're out of orange bitters, Angostura bitters can work as a substitute, although it will slightly alter the flavor profile.

Making a Pitcher of Astoria Cocktail:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 16 oz of Gin, 8 oz of dry vermouth, and 16 dashes of orange bitters.
  • Mix: Combine the Gin, dry vermouth, and orange bitters in a large pitcher. Stir well with plenty of ice.
  • Serve: Strain the mixture into chilled martini glasses or coupes, garnish with lemon twists, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Gin Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic gin substitute; these are available and reasonably mimic Gin's botanicals.
  • Dry Vermouth Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic vermouth or make a simple syrup infused with herbs like rosemary and thyme for complexity.
  • Orange bitters: use a non-alcoholic option available on the market, orange blossom water could be an option as well.
  • 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 Astoria Cocktail is naturally vegan as long as you use vegan-certified spirits. Always check labels to ensure no animal products are used in production.

Nutrition Facts

Calories
169
% Daily Value*
Sodium
 
5
mg
0
%
Carbohydrates
 
9
g
3
%
Sugar
 
5
g
6
%
Potassium
 
55
mg
2
%
Protein
 
0.2
g
0
%
Calcium
 
5
mg
1
%
Iron
 
0.2
mg
1
%

 

Astoria Cocktail Drink

Astoria Cocktail Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
Jump to Video
Combine Gin, dry vermouth, orange bitters, and a lemon twist with this simple recipe for a delightful evening drink.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 169

Ingredients
 

  • 1 oz Gin - preferably Old Tom
  • 2 oz Dry Vermouth
  • 2 dashes of Orange Bitters
  • Lemon twist - for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Martini Glass or Coupe
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Stirrer or Bar Spoon
  • Mixing Glass

Instructions

  • Prep Glass: Chill your martini glass or coupe with ice.
  • Add Bitters: Add 2 dashes of Orange Bitters to the mixing glass.
  • Add Gin: Add 1 oz Gin to the mix.
  • Add Vermouth: Measure and pour 2 oz Dry Vermouth into the mixing glass.
  • Add Ice: Fill your mixing glass with ice.
  • Stir Gently: Use a bar spoon to stir the ingredients gently for about 30 seconds.
  • Strain and Serve: Empty the ice water from your chilled glass and strain the mixture.
  • Garnish: Express a lemon peel on the drink and place one on the rim of the glass for garnish.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Gin: If you don't have Gin, try using vodka for a cleaner, less botanical flavor. I've also experimented with white rum for a unique twist.
  • Dry Vermouth: You can use sweet vermouth in a pinch, but it will change the drink's character. Add an extra dash of orange bitters to balance the sweetness.
  • Orange Bitters: If you're out of orange bitters, Angostura bitters can work as a substitute, although it will slightly alter the flavor profile.

Making a Pitcher of Astoria Cocktail:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 16 oz of Gin, 8 oz of dry vermouth, and 16 dashes of orange bitters.
  • Mix: Combine the Gin, dry vermouth, and orange bitters in a large pitcher. Stir well with plenty of ice.
  • Serve: Strain the mixture into chilled martini glasses or coupes, garnish with lemon twists, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Gin Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic gin substitute; these are available and reasonably mimic Gin's botanicals.
  • Dry Vermouth Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic vermouth or make a simple syrup infused with herbs like rosemary and thyme for complexity.
  • Orange bitters: use a non-alcoholic option available on the market, orange blossom water could be an option as well.
  • 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 Astoria Cocktail is naturally vegan as long as you use vegan-certified spirits. Always check labels to ensure no animal products are used in production.

What is an Astoria Cocktail?

An Astoria Cocktail is a gin-based cocktail made of gin, dry vermouth, and orange bitters. It’s easy to make because it requires only three ingredients and simple steps like stirring and straining. This classic drink offers a sophisticated flavor profile perfect for those who enjoy well-balanced cocktails with aromatic notes.

A side shot of an Astoria cocktail in a cocktail glass on a red cloth with a jigger and a bar spoon around

What is an Astoria Cocktail made of – The ingredients

These are the Ingredients for an Astoria Cocktail recipe:

  • Gin: Provides the botanical base and primary spirit for the cocktail.
  • Dry Vermouth: Adds a slightly herbal and dry flavor, balancing the gin.
  • Orange Bitters: Introduces a hint of citrus and bitterness to enhance the overall taste.
  • Lemon Twist: Used as a garnish, it adds a fresh citrus aroma and visual appeal.

Gin, Dry Vermouth, and orange bitters laid out on a white bar table

How do you make an Astoria Cocktail?

Create an Astoria Cocktail by following our detailed steps:

1
<p>Chill your martini glass or coupe by filling it with ice.</p>

Chill your martini glass or coupe by filling it with ice.

2
<p>Add 2 dashes of orange bitters to the mixing glass.</p>

Add 2 dashes of orange bitters to the mixing glass.

3
<p>Add 1 oz of gin to the mix.</p>

Add 1 oz of gin to the mix.

4
<p>Measure and pour 2 oz of dry vermouth into the mixing glass.</p>

Measure and pour 2 oz of dry vermouth into the mixing glass.

5
<p>Fill your mixing glass with ice.</p>

Fill your mixing glass with ice.

6
<p>Use a bar spoon to stir the ingredients gently for about 30 seconds.</p>

Use a bar spoon to stir the ingredients gently for about 30 seconds.

7
<p>Empty the ice from your chilled glass and strain the mixture into the chilled glass.</p>

Empty the ice from your chilled glass and strain the mixture into the chilled glass.

8
<p>Use a lemon twist for aroma and garnish.</p>

Use a lemon twist for aroma and garnish.

History and Origin of the Astoria Cocktail

The Astoria Cocktail traces its roots back to the early 20th century. Bartenders at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York, crafted this drink. They aimed to create a sophisticated cocktail that showcased gin’s botanical flavors. The combination of dry vermouth and orange bitters added complexity and balance. Over time, people who appreciated classic, grew fond of the Astoria Cocktail. Today, it remains a favorite for its simplicity and elegance.

An Astoria cocktail, shot from above, in a cocktail glass on a beige surface surrrounded by Gin, dry vermouth and orange bitters

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FAQ

How many calories are in an Astoria Cocktail?
Depending on the specific brands of gin and vermouth used, an Astoria cocktail typically contains around 200 calories.
How strong is the Astoria Cocktail?
Its alcohol by volume (ABV) is approximately 30%, which translates to 60 proof.
What alcohol is used in an Astoria Cocktail?
The primary alcohol used in an Astoria Cocktail are gin and dry vermouth, complemented by orange bitters.
In which glass is the Astoria Cocktail served?
Bartenders usually serve the Astoria Cocktail in a martini glass or coupe.
What does an Astoria Cocktail taste like?
The Astoria Cocktail offers a balanced flavor profile with botanical notes from the gin, herbal undertones from the dry vermouth, and a hint of citrus bitterness from the orange bitters.
What is the ratio of ingredients in an Astoria Cocktail?
The typical ratio is 2 parts dry vermouth to 1 part gin, with a couple of dashes of orange bitters.
How is the Astoria Cocktail served?
Bartenders serve it "up”, meaning it is chilled with ice but strained into a glass without ice.
Can I make an Astoria Cocktail ahead of time?
Yes, you can mix the ingredients ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator. However, stirring with ice and strain just before serving is best to ensure optimal freshness.
Is there a non-alcoholic version of the Astoria Cocktail?
While there isn't a traditional non-alcoholic version, you can use non-alcoholic gin substitutes and herbal infusions to mimic the flavors.
Can I customize my Astoria Cocktail?
Absolutely! You can adjust the ratio of gin to vermouth or experiment with different types of bitters to suit your taste preferences.

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