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Gilroy Cocktail Drink

Gilroy Cocktail

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

Are you craving a unique drink? The Gilroy Cocktail recipe is perfect for you! Use simple ingredients to make and enjoy this delightful cocktail.

Gilroy Cocktail Recipe

Enjoy the Gilroy Cocktail recipe this winter! Combine gin, Cherry Heering liqueur, dry vermouth, and fresh lemon juice to make a delightful drink for chilly evenings.

Prep time:

1 minute

Mixing time:

1 minute

Servings:

1

Calories:

235 kl

Ingredients

  • 1 oz Gin
  • 1 oz Cherry Heering liqueur
  • 1 oz dry vermouth
  • ½ oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1 dash orange bitters
  • Ice cubes
  • Lemon twist, for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Martini Glass
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Strainer & Fine-strainer
  • Shaker

Instructions

  • Prep Glass: Fill your Martini glass with ice cubes, stir and set it aside.
  • Add Orange Bitters: Drop 1 dash orange bitters into the shaker.
  • Add Lemon Juice: Pour in ½ oz fresh lemon juice.
  • Add Vermouth: Add 1 oz dry vermouth to the mix.
  • Add Cherry Heering: Measure and pour 1 oz Cherry Heering liqueur into the shaker.
  • Add Gin: Pour 1 oz Gin into the shaker.
  • Add Ice: Fill your shaker with ice.
  • Shake: Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds.
  • Strain: Fine strain your drink into the chilled martini glass.
  • Garnish: Place a lemon twist into the glass for garnish.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Gin: If you don't have gin, try using vodka for a cleaner taste. I've also used white rum for a different but enjoyable flavor profile.
  • Cherry Heering Liqueur: If you can't find Cherry Heering, use cherry brandy or a cherry-flavored syrup for a non-alcoholic option.
  • Dry Vermouth: I've used sweet vermouth in a pinch, which adds a slightly richer flavor. You can balance it with an extra splash of lemon juice.
  • Fresh Lemon Juice: Bottled lemon juice works if fresh lemons aren't available, but fresh always tastes better.
  • Orange Bitters: Opt for Angostura Bitters or any other citrus bitters.

Making a Pitcher of Gilroy Cocktail:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 8 dashes of orange bitters, 8 oz of gin, 8 oz of Cherry Heering liqueur, 8 oz of dry vermouth, and 4 oz of fresh lemon juice.
  • Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the bitters, gin, Cherry Heering liqueur, dry vermouth, and fresh lemon juice with ice. Stir well.
  • Serve: Strain the mixture into chilled martini 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.
  • Cherry Heering Substitute: Opt for cherry-flavored syrup or make your own by simmering cherries with sugar and water until thickened.
  • Dry Vermouth Substitute: Use non-alcoholic white wine or grape juice with a splash of apple cider vinegar to mimic the dryness.
  • 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
235
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
0.1
g
0
%
Saturated Fat
 
0.01
g
0
%
Sodium
 
6
mg
0
%
Carbohydrates
 
20
g
7
%
Fiber
 
0.04
g
0
%
Sugar
 
14
g
16
%
Potassium
 
53
mg
2
%
Protein
 
0.1
g
0
%
Vitamin A
 
1
IU
0
%
Vitamin C
 
5
mg
6
%
Calcium
 
3
mg
0
%
Iron
 
0.02
mg
0
%

 

Gilroy Cocktail Drink

Gilroy Cocktail Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
Jump to Video
Enjoy the Gilroy Cocktail recipe this winter! Combine gin, Cherry Heering liqueur, dry vermouth, and fresh lemon juice to make a delightful drink for chilly evenings.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 235

Ingredients
 

  • 1 oz Gin
  • 1 oz Cherry Heering liqueur
  • 1 oz dry vermouth
  • ½ oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1 dash orange bitters
  • Ice cubes
  • Lemon twist - for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Martini Glass
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Strainer & Fine-strainer
  • Shaker

Instructions

  • Prep Glass: Fill your Martini glass with ice cubes, stir and set it aside.
  • Add Orange Bitters: Drop 1 dash orange bitters into the shaker.
  • Add Lemon Juice: Pour in ½ oz fresh lemon juice.
  • Add Vermouth: Add 1 oz dry vermouth to the mix.
  • Add Cherry Heering: Measure and pour 1 oz Cherry Heering liqueur into the shaker.
  • Add Gin: Pour 1 oz Gin into the shaker.
  • Add Ice: Fill your shaker with ice.
  • Shake: Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds.
  • Strain: Fine strain your drink into the chilled martini glass.
  • Garnish: Place a lemon twist into the glass for garnish.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Gin: If you don't have gin, try using vodka for a cleaner taste. I've also used white rum for a different but enjoyable flavor profile.
  • Cherry Heering Liqueur: If you can't find Cherry Heering, use cherry brandy or a cherry-flavored syrup for a non-alcoholic option.
  • Dry Vermouth: I've used sweet vermouth in a pinch, which adds a slightly richer flavor. You can balance it with an extra splash of lemon juice.
  • Fresh Lemon Juice: Bottled lemon juice works if fresh lemons aren't available, but fresh always tastes better.
  • Orange Bitters: Opt for Angostura Bitters or any other citrus bitters.

Making a Pitcher of Gilroy Cocktail:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 8 dashes of orange bitters, 8 oz of gin, 8 oz of Cherry Heering liqueur, 8 oz of dry vermouth, and 4 oz of fresh lemon juice.
  • Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the bitters, gin, Cherry Heering liqueur, dry vermouth, and fresh lemon juice with ice. Stir well.
  • Serve: Strain the mixture into chilled martini 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.
  • Cherry Heering Substitute: Opt for cherry-flavored syrup or make your own by simmering cherries with sugar and water until thickened.
  • Dry Vermouth Substitute: Use non-alcoholic white wine or grape juice with a splash of apple cider vinegar to mimic the dryness.
  • 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 Gilroy Cocktail?

A Gilroy Cocktail is a gin-based drink made of gin, Cherry Heering liqueur, bitters, dry vermouth, and fresh lemon juice. It’s not difficult to make because it requires simple ingredients and straightforward steps. This cocktail offers a unique blend of flavors with the botanical notes of gin, the sweetness of Cherry Heering, the dryness of vermouth, and the tanginess of lemon juice.

A side shot of a Gilroy cocktail in a martini glass on a wooden coaster and table surrounded by black pepper, dehydrated citrus slices and a white mortar and pestle, in front of a wooden background

What is a Gilroy Cocktail made of – The ingredients

Get these ingredients ready to make your Gilroy Cocktail:

  • Gin: Provides the botanical base and primary spirit for the cocktail.
  • Cherry Heering Liqueur: Adds sweetness and a rich cherry flavor.
  • Dry Vermouth: Contributes dryness and complexity to balance the sweetness.
  • Fresh Lemon Juice: Adds tanginess and freshness to the drink.
  • Orange Bitters: Adds complexity to the mix.
  • Lemon Twist (for garnish): Enhances aroma and adds a decorative touch.

Gin, Cherry Heering liqueur, dry vermouth, lemon juice, lemon, and orange bitters laid out on a white bar table

How do you make a Gilroy Cocktail?

Follow our easy directions to mix a perfect Gilroy Cocktail:

1
<p>Fill your Martini glass with ice cubes and stir to chill it.</p>

Fill your Martini glass with ice cubes and stir to chill it.

2
<p>Add one dash of orange bitters to the shaker.</p>

Add one dash of orange bitters to the shaker.

3
<p>Pour in ½ oz of fresh lemon juice, adding tanginess and freshness to the drink.</p>

Pour in ½ oz of fresh lemon juice, adding tanginess and freshness to the drink.

4
<p>Add 1 oz of dry vermouth to the mix, contributing dryness and complexity to balance the sweetness.</p>

Add 1 oz of dry vermouth to the mix, contributing dryness and complexity to balance the sweetness.

5
<p>Measure and pour 1 oz of Cherry Heering liqueur into the shaker, adding sweetness and a rich cherry flavor.</p>

Measure and pour 1 oz of Cherry Heering liqueur into the shaker, adding sweetness and a rich cherry flavor.

6
<p>Pour 1 oz of gin, providing the botanical base for the cocktail.</p>

Pour 1 oz of gin, providing the botanical base for the cocktail.

7
<p>Fill your shaker with ice cubes.</p>

Fill your shaker with ice cubes.

8
<p>Shake for about 15 seconds until the mixture is well mixed and chilled.</p>

Shake for about 15 seconds until the mixture is well mixed and chilled.

9
<p>Discord the ice from the martini glass and fine strain your drink into the chilled martini glass.</p>

Discord the ice from the martini glass and fine strain your drink into the chilled martini glass.

10
<p>Place a lemon twist into the glass for garnish, enhancing the aroma and adding a decorative touch.</p>

Place a lemon twist into the glass for garnish, enhancing the aroma and adding a decorative touch.

History and Origin of the Gilroy Cocktail

The Gilroy Cocktail recipe is found in Harry Craddock’s ‘The Savoy Cocktail Book’ (1930).  During the 20th century the cocktail gained popularity in bars known for their innovative drinks, becoming a favorite among those who enjoyed experimenting with flavors. While not as famous as some classic cocktails, the Gilroy Cocktail has maintained a loyal following due to its distinctive taste and straightforward preparation.

A Gilroy cocktail, shot from above, in a martini glass on a grey surface surrounded by Gin, Cherry Heering liqueur, dry vermouth, lemon, and orange bitters

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FAQ

How many calories are in a Gilroy Cocktail?
A typical Gilroy Cocktail contains around 150-200 calories, depending on the specific ingredients and their quantities.
How strong is the Gilroy Cocktail?
Its alcohol by volume (ABV) is approximately 20%, which translates to about 40 proof.
What alcohol is used in a Gilroy Cocktail?
The primary alcohols used in a Gilroy Cocktail are gin, Cherry Heering liqueur, and dry vermouth.
In which glass is a Gilroy Cocktail served?
Bartenders typically serve a Gilroy Cocktail in a cocktail glass.
What does a Gilroy Cocktail taste like?
The Gilroy Cocktail offers a balanced taste with botanical notes from the gin, sweetness from the Cherry Heering liqueur, dryness from the vermouth, and tanginess from the fresh lemon juice.
What is the ratio of ingredients in a Gilroy Cocktail?
The standard ratio is 1 dash orange bitters, 1 part gin, 1 part cherry heering liqueur, 1 part dry vermouth, and ½ parts fresh lemon juice.
How is a Gilroy Cocktail served?
Serve the Gilroy Cocktail shaken and strained in a child glass.

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