Kangaroo Cocktail Drink

Kangaroo Drink

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 looking for a unique cocktail experience? Look no further! Our Kangaroo drink recipe is easy to make and delightful. With just a few ingredients, you can elevate your cocktail game!

Kangaroo Drink Recipe

Relax and enjoy our simple Kangaroo drink recipe! Made with vodka, Vermouth, and a lemon twist, this refreshing cocktail is just right for spring.

Prep time:

1 minute

Mixing time:

1 minute

Servings:

1

Calories:

122 kl

Ingredients

  • oz Vodka
  • ½ oz Dry Vermouth
  • Lemon twist, for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Cocktail Glass
  • Cocktail Shaker
  • Strainer & Fine-strainer
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Stirrer or Bar Spoon

Instructions

  • Chill Glass: First, chill your cocktail glass.
  • Add Vermouth: Pour ½ oz Dry Vermouth into a shaker.
  • Add Vodka: Measure and pour 1½ oz Vodka into the shaker.
  • Shake Well: Fill your shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds.
  • Strain: Fine-strain the mixture into your chilled cocktail glass.
  • Garnish: Add a lemon twist for garnish.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Vodka: If you're out of vodka, you can use gin for a more botanical flavor. I've also tried white rum for a sweeter profile.
  • Dry Vermouth: I've used sweet Vermouth before if you don't have dry vermouth. It changes the character of the drink but still works well.

Making a Pitcher of Kangaroo Drink:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 12 oz of vodka and 4 oz of dry vermouth.
  • Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the vodka and dry vermouth with ice. Stir well.
  • Serve: Strain the mixture into individual chilled cocktail glasses, garnish with a lemon twist, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Vodka Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic vodka substitute; these are available and do an excellent job mimicking vodka's neutral flavor.
  • Vermouth Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic vermouth or make a simple syrup infused with bitterness from gentian root and with a dash of grapefruit juice.
  • 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:

  • Check Your Brands: Most vodka and vermouth brands are already vegan, but it's always good to double-check. Some brands may use animal products in their filtration process.
  • Proceed As Usual: After confirming your vegan-friendly brands, follow the original steps and enjoy your vegan Kangaroo drink.

Nutrition Facts

Calories
122
% Daily Value*
Sodium
 
1
mg
0
%
Carbohydrates
 
2
g
1
%
Sugar
 
1
g
1
%
Potassium
 
14
mg
0
%
Protein
 
0.1
g
0
%
Calcium
 
1
mg
0
%
Iron
 
0.1
mg
1
%

 

Kangaroo Cocktail Drink

Kangaroo Drink Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
Jump to Video
Relax and enjoy our simple Kangaroo drink recipe! Made with vodka, Vermouth, and a lemon twist, this refreshing cocktail is just right for spring.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 122

Ingredients
 

  • oz Vodka
  • ½ oz Dry Vermouth
  • Lemon twist - for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Cocktail Glass
  • Cocktail Shaker
  • Strainer & Fine-strainer
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Stirrer or Bar Spoon

Instructions

  • Chill Glass: First, chill your cocktail glass.
  • Add Vermouth: Pour ½ oz Dry Vermouth into a shaker.
  • Add Vodka: Measure and pour 1½ oz Vodka into the shaker.
  • Shake Well: Fill your shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds.
  • Strain: Fine-strain the mixture into your chilled cocktail glass.
  • Garnish: Add a lemon twist for garnish.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Vodka: If you're out of vodka, you can use gin for a more botanical flavor. I've also tried white rum for a sweeter profile.
  • Dry Vermouth: I've used sweet Vermouth before if you don't have dry vermouth. It changes the character of the drink but still works well.

Making a Pitcher of Kangaroo Drink:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 12 oz of vodka and 4 oz of dry vermouth.
  • Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the vodka and dry vermouth with ice. Stir well.
  • Serve: Strain the mixture into individual chilled cocktail glasses, garnish with a lemon twist, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Vodka Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic vodka substitute; these are available and do an excellent job mimicking vodka's neutral flavor.
  • Vermouth Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic vermouth or make a simple syrup infused with bitterness from gentian root and with a dash of grapefruit juice.
  • 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:

  • Check Your Brands: Most vodka and vermouth brands are already vegan, but it's always good to double-check. Some brands may use animal products in their filtration process.
  • Proceed As Usual: After confirming your vegan-friendly brands, follow the original steps and enjoy your vegan Kangaroo drink.

What is a Kangaroo drink?

A Kangaroo drink is a vodka-based cocktail made of vodka and dry Vermouth, garnished with a lemon twist. It’s easy to make, requiring only two main ingredients and simple shaking skills. This cocktail has the same ingredients as a vodka martini, in fact some people think that these are the same cocktails.

A side shot of a Kangaroo drink in a coupe glass on a white coaster and table, surrounded by a cocktail strainer , a bar spoon and a white cloth

What is a Kangaroo drink made of – The ingredients

The components of a Kangaroo drink include the following:

  • Vodka: This is the main spirit in the cocktail, providing a clean, clear base that allows the other flavors to shine.
  • Dry Vermouth: This adds a touch of complexity and depth to the drink, balancing out the vodka with its subtle herbal notes.
  • Lemon Twist: Used as a garnish, it adds a hint of citrus aroma that complements the other ingredients and enhances the overall drinking experience.

Vodka and Dry Vermouth laid out on a white bar table

How do you make a Kangaroo drink?

Our user-friendly guide makes creating a Kangaroo drink a breeze:

1
<p>Start by chilling your cocktail glass to ensure your drink stays cold.</p>

Start by chilling your cocktail glass to ensure your drink stays cold.

2
<p>In a shaker, add your dry vermouth.</p>

In a shaker, add your dry vermouth.

3
<p>Next, pour your spirit, vodka in this case, to the mix.</p>

Next, pour your spirit, vodka in this case, to the mix.

4
<p>Fill your shaker with ice cubes.</p>

Fill your shaker with ice cubes.

5
<p>Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds.</p>

Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds.

6
<p>Fine strain the mixture into your chilled cocktail glass.</p>

Fine strain the mixture into your chilled cocktail glass.

7
<p>Finally, garnish your drink with a lemon twist to add a hint of citrus aroma.</p>

Finally, garnish your drink with a lemon twist to add a hint of citrus aroma.

History and Origin of the Kangaroo Drink

The Kangaroo drink, today has been eclipsed by the Vodka Martini. Some may think that the Kangaroo is the original name of the Vodka Martini, but in fact the first written reference of the Kangaroo dates back to 1943, when it was mentioned as Kangaroo Kicker in Oscar Haimo’s ‘Cocktail Digest’, ten years after the first mention of the famous Vodka Martini. Despite its evolution, the original Kangaroo drink remains a testament to a time of experimentation and change in cocktail culture.

A Kangaroo drink, shot from above, in a coupe glass on a beige surface surrounded by Vodka and Dry Vermouth

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FAQ

How many calories are in a Kangaroo drink?
A typical Kangaroo drink contains approximately 110 calories.
How strong is a Kangaroo drink?
The strength of a Kangaroo drink depends on the alcohol content of the vodka used. Generally, if you're using 80-proof vodka, the cocktail will have an ABV (Alcohol By Volume) of around 30% and be 60-proof.
What type of alcohol is used in a Kangaroo drink?
The primary alcohol is vodka, complemented by dry Vermouth.
In what kind of glass is a Kangaroo drink served?
A Kangaroo drink is typically served in a chilled cocktail glass.
What does a Kangaroo drink taste like?
The vodka gives it a clean, crisp taste, with subtle herbal notes from the dry Vermouth. The lemon twist garnish adds a hint of citrus aroma.
What is the ratio of ingredients in a Kangaroo drink?
The standard ratio is 3:1, meaning three parts vodka to one part dry vermouth.
How is a Kangaroo drink served?
It is usually served up, meaning it's shaken with ice and strained into a glass without ice.

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