Make the Churchill Cocktail this winter! Follow this recipe to blend Scotch whisky, sweet vermouth, Cointreau, and fresh lemon juice into a perfect cozy cocktail.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 177
Ingredients
- 1½ oz Blended Scotch Whisky
- ½ oz Sweet Vermouth
- ½ oz Cointreau or Triple Sec liqueur
- ½ oz fresh lemon juice
- Ice cubes
- Orange zest twist - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Coupe or Martini Glass
- Measuring Jigger
- Shaker
- Cocktail Strainer
- Fine strainer
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Fill a Martini or Coupe glass with ice. Give it a quick stir and set it aside.
- Add Lemon Juice: Pour ½ oz fresh lemon juice into the shaker.
- Add Sweet Vermouth: Add ½ oz Sweet Vermouth.
- Add Cointreau: Measure and pour ½ oz Cointreau or Triple Sec liqueur into the shaker as well.
- Add Scotch Whisky: Finally, add 1½ oz Blended Scotch Whisky to the mix.
- Shake Well: Fill the shaker with ice, close it and give it a good shake (10-15 seconds).
- Strain: Take the Coupe or Martini glass and discard the ice inside. Then, using both the cocktail strainer and the fine strainer, strain the shaken drink into the chilled glass.
- Garnish: Garnish with an orange zest twist: to do so, express the orange zest on top of the drink and place it on the rim of the glass. Serve immediately.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Scotch: If you don't have Scotch, use bourbon for a sweeter profile. I've also used rye whiskey for a spicier kick.
- Sweet Vermouth: In a pinch, I've used dry vermouth and added a small splash of simple syrup to balance the flavors.
- Cointreau: Triple sec works well as an alternative if you still need to get Cointreau on hand. Grand Marnier can also add a richer flavor.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Bottled lemon juice can work, but I prefer fresh for its vibrant taste.
Making a Pitcher of Churchill Cocktail:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 12 oz of Scotch, 4 oz of sweet vermouth, 4 oz of Cointreau, and 4 oz of fresh lemon juice.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the Scotch, sweet vermouth, Cointreau, and fresh lemon juice with ice. Stir well.
- Serve: Strain the mixture into chilled coupe glasses, garnish with an orange twist, and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Scotch Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic whiskey substitute; these are available and do a reasonable job mimicking whiskey's depth.
- Sweet Vermouth Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic vermouth or use grape juice with a touch of balsamic vinegar for complexity.
- Cointreau Substitute: Make an orange syrup by boiling orange zest with sugar and water until it thickens slightly.
- 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 Churchill Cocktail?
A Churchill Cocktail is a Scotch-based cocktail made of Scotch, sweet vermouth, Cointreau, and fresh lemon juice. It’s easy to make because it involves straightforward mixing steps that anyone can follow. This drink offers a unique blend of flavors with the smoky notes of Scotch balanced by the sweetness of vermouth and the citrusy kick from lemon juice and Cointreau.
What is a Churchill Cocktail made of – The ingredients
Collect these ingredients to create a Churchill Cocktail:
- Scotch: Provides a smoky, rich base flavor.
- Sweet Vermouth: Adds sweetness and herbal complexity.
- Cointreau: Brings a citrusy, slightly sweet note.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Adds a refreshing, tangy kick.
- Ice Cubes: Chills the drink and slightly dilutes it for balance.
- Orange Peel (optional): Enhances presentation and adds a subtle aroma.
