London Fog Cocktail Drink

London Fog Cocktail

Looking for a classy drink? The London Fog Cocktail recipe is just what you need! It’s made with basic ingredients, and it’s delightful to taste.

London Fog Cocktail Recipe

Enjoy a cozy evening with the London Fog Cocktail recipe! Mix Gin, absinthe and just a touch of sugar to create this elegant winter drink.

Prep time:

1 minute

Mixing time:

1 minute

Servings:

1

Calories:

137 kl

Ingredients

  • oz Gin, preferably London Dry
  • ¼ oz Absinthe
  • 1 bar spoon simple syrup
  • Ice cubes
  • Crushed ice
  • Lemon zest twist, for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Old Fashioned Glass
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Shaker
  • Cocktail Strainer

Instructions

  • Prep Glass: Fill a Rocks or Old Fashioned glass with ice. Give it a quick stir and set it aside.
  • Add Sugar: Pour 1 bar spoon simple syrup into the shaker.
  • Add Absinthe: Add ¼ oz Absinthe.
  • Add Gin: Measure and pour 1½ oz Gin into the shaker as well.
  • Shake Well: Fill the shaker with ice, close it and give it a good shake (10-15 seconds).
  • Strain & Add Ice: Discard the ice in the Rocks or Old Fashioned glass and use the cocktail strainer to pour the drink into the chilled glass. Fill the glass with a generous amount of crushed ice.
  • Garnish: Garnish with a lemon peel and serve immediately.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Gin: If you don't have Gin, you can try using Genever (preferably Jonge style) as a substitute. You can also use vodka for a cleaner taste. However, keep in mind that in that case the taste will differ greatly from the original drink and will lack the botanical touch of the gin.
  • Absinthe: Any kind of pastis or anise-flavored liqueur can work if you're out of absinthe. It's not quite the same, but it still gives that licorice kick.
  • Simple Syrup: You can easily make your own simple syrup at home by mixing together equal parts powdered sugar and water over low heat. Stir well until the sugar fully dissolves and let the ñixture cool down to room temperature before using.

Making a Pitcher of London Fog Cocktail:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 12 oz of Gin, 1 ½ oz of simple syrup and  2 oz of absinthe.
  • Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the Gin, simple syrup and absinthe. Add ice and stir well.
  • Serve: Strain to remove the ice and pour into rocks or Old Fashioned glasses. Fill the glasses up with a generous amount of crushed ice, garnish with a lemon peel and serve immediately. If you have some leftovers, be sure to keep it in the fridge (make sure no ice cubes are left inside) in an airtight container.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Gin Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic gin substitute; these are available and reasonably mimic gin's botanicals.
  • Absinthe Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic anise extract or for an anise-flavored syrup for a sweeter version.
  • Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
However, keep in mind that, as the London Fog cocktail is solely made out of alcoholic ingredients, it can be hard to recreate its flavor using only non-alcoholic substitutes; the overall flavor and mouthfeel will probably change greatly from the original drink. In order to make the perfect mocktail version of this drink, you may have to revise the quantity of each ingredient depending on the specific substitute you decide to use.

Making it Vegan:

The standard recipe is already vegan-friendly as it uses no animal products. Just ensure any substitutes you use, if any, are also vegan.

Nutrition Facts

Calories
137
% Daily Value*
Sodium
 
5
mg
0
%
Carbohydrates
 
5
g
2
%
Sugar
 
5
g
6
%
Potassium
 
5
mg
0
%
Calcium
 
1
mg
0
%
Iron
 
0.3
mg
2
%

 

London Fog Cocktail Drink

London Fog Cocktail Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
Jump to Video
Enjoy a cozy evening with the London Fog Cocktail recipe! Mix Gin, absinthe and just a touch of sugar to create this elegant winter drink.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 137

Ingredients
 

  • oz Gin - preferably London Dry
  • ¼ oz Absinthe
  • 1 bar spoon simple syrup
  • Ice cubes
  • Crushed ice
  • Lemon zest twist - for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Old Fashioned Glass
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Shaker
  • Cocktail Strainer

Instructions

  • Prep Glass: Fill a Rocks or Old Fashioned glass with ice. Give it a quick stir and set it aside.
  • Add Sugar: Pour 1 bar spoon simple syrup into the shaker.
  • Add Absinthe: Add ¼ oz Absinthe.
  • Add Gin: Measure and pour 1½ oz Gin into the shaker as well.
  • Shake Well: Fill the shaker with ice, close it and give it a good shake (10-15 seconds).
  • Strain & Add Ice: Discard the ice in the Rocks or Old Fashioned glass and use the cocktail strainer to pour the drink into the chilled glass. Fill the glass with a generous amount of crushed ice.
  • Garnish: Garnish with a lemon peel and serve immediately.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Gin: If you don't have Gin, you can try using Genever (preferably Jonge style) as a substitute. You can also use vodka for a cleaner taste. However, keep in mind that in that case the taste will differ greatly from the original drink and will lack the botanical touch of the gin.
  • Absinthe: Any kind of pastis or anise-flavored liqueur can work if you're out of absinthe. It's not quite the same, but it still gives that licorice kick.
  • Simple Syrup: You can easily make your own simple syrup at home by mixing together equal parts powdered sugar and water over low heat. Stir well until the sugar fully dissolves and let the ñixture cool down to room temperature before using.

Making a Pitcher of London Fog Cocktail:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 12 oz of Gin, 1 ½ oz of simple syrup and  2 oz of absinthe.
  • Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the Gin, simple syrup and absinthe. Add ice and stir well.
  • Serve: Strain to remove the ice and pour into rocks or Old Fashioned glasses. Fill the glasses up with a generous amount of crushed ice, garnish with a lemon peel and serve immediately. If you have some leftovers, be sure to keep it in the fridge (make sure no ice cubes are left inside) in an airtight container.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Gin Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic gin substitute; these are available and reasonably mimic gin's botanicals.
  • Absinthe Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic anise extract or for an anise-flavored syrup for a sweeter version.
  • Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
However, keep in mind that, as the London Fog cocktail is solely made out of alcoholic ingredients, it can be hard to recreate its flavor using only non-alcoholic substitutes; the overall flavor and mouthfeel will probably change greatly from the original drink. In order to make the perfect mocktail version of this drink, you may have to revise the quantity of each ingredient depending on the specific substitute you decide to use.

Making it Vegan:

The standard recipe is already vegan-friendly as it uses no animal products. Just ensure any substitutes you use, if any, are also vegan.

What is a London Fog Cocktail?

A London Fog Cocktail is a gin-based drink made of London Dry Gin, simple syrup and absinthe. It’s easy to make, requiring only a few ingredients and simple steps. This cocktail offers a unique blend of botanical flavors from the Gin and the distinct licorice taste of absinthe, making it an intriguing choice for those looking to try something different.

A side shot of a London Fog cocktail in an old fashioned glass on a wooden board placed on a wooden table surrounded by a red cloth, and sugar cubes

What is a London Fog Cocktail made of – The ingredients

Prepare these ingredients for your London Fog Cocktail:

  • Gin: Provides the botanical base and primary spirit for the cocktail.
  • Absinthe: Adds a distinct licorice flavor and a touch of complexity.
  • Simple Syrup: Balances the drink and gives it a smooth, rounder finish.
  • Ice Cubes: Chills the drink and dilutes it slightly for balance.
  • Lemon Twist (optional): Offers a citrus aroma and garnish for visual appeal.

Gin, Absinthe, simple syrup, and sugar cubes laid out on a white bar table

How do you make a London Fog Cocktail?

You need these ingredients to prepare a London Fog Cocktail:

1
<p>Start by preparing your glass: Fill a Rocks or Old Fashioned glass with ice cubes. Give it a quick stir to chill the glass thoroughly, ensuring that your cocktail stays cold for longer. Set the glass aside while you prepare the cocktail.</p>

Start by preparing your glass: Fill a Rocks or Old Fashioned glass with ice cubes. Give it a quick stir to chill the glass thoroughly, ensuring that your cocktail stays cold for longer. Set the glass aside while you prepare the cocktail.

2
<p>Start by pouring 1 bar spoon of simple syrup into your cocktail shaker. This will add a touch of sweetness to balance the other bold flavors in the drink.</p>

Start by pouring 1 bar spoon of simple syrup into your cocktail shaker. This will add a touch of sweetness to balance the other bold flavors in the drink.

3
<p>Next, add the absinthe: measure and pour ¼ ounce of absinthe into the shaker. The absinthe will provide a distinct anise flavor, contributing to the unique character of the London Fog cocktail.</p>

Next, add the absinthe: measure and pour ¼ ounce of absinthe into the shaker. The absinthe will provide a distinct anise flavor, contributing to the unique character of the London Fog cocktail.

4
<p>Add the gin: measure and pour 1 ½ ounces of gin, preferably a London Dry gin, into the shaker. The gin serves as the base spirit, offering a robust botanical profile that complements the absinthe.</p>

Add the gin: measure and pour 1 ½ ounces of gin, preferably a London Dry gin, into the shaker. The gin serves as the base spirit, offering a robust botanical profile that complements the absinthe.

5
<p>Fill the shaker with ice cubes: This step is crucial as it will chill & dilute the mixture, ensuring a well-balanced cocktail. Close the shaker tightly and shake the ingredients vigorously for about 10-15 seconds.</p>

Fill the shaker with ice cubes: This step is crucial as it will chill & dilute the mixture, ensuring a well-balanced cocktail. Close the shaker tightly and shake the ingredients vigorously for about 10-15 seconds.

6
<p>Discard the ice from the Rocks or Old Fashioned glass that you set aside earlier. Using a cocktail strainer, pour the shaken mixture into the prepared glass. This ensures that the glass is chilled without any excess water from the melting ice.</p>

Discard the ice from the Rocks or Old Fashioned glass that you set aside earlier. Using a cocktail strainer, pour the shaken mixture into the prepared glass. This ensures that the glass is chilled without any excess water from the melting ice.

7
<p>Then, fill the glass generously with crushed ice. The crushed ice will keep the drink cold and maintain its refreshing quality without diluting it too quickly.</p>

Then, fill the glass generously with crushed ice. The crushed ice will keep the drink cold and maintain its refreshing quality without diluting it too quickly.

8
<p>Take a twist of lemon zest and express its oils over the drink. Place the lemon zest on the rim of the glass or drop it into the cocktail for an added aromatic touch.</p>

Take a twist of lemon zest and express its oils over the drink. Place the lemon zest on the rim of the glass or drop it into the cocktail for an added aromatic touch.

Serve immediately and enjoy the harmonious blend of sweet, botanical, and anise flavors in your London Fog cocktail!

History & Origins

The London Fog cocktail was created by Lucius Beebe in 1946 and appeared in print the same year in his In the Stork Club Bar Book.

A London Fog cocktail, shot from above, in an old fashioned glass on a beige surface surrounded by Gin, Absinthe, simple syrup, and sugar cubes

See More

Did you make this recipe?

We’d love to see how you crafted our recipes!
Tag us on Instagram at @_drinksworld

FAQ

How many calories are in a London Fog Cocktail?
A typical London Fog Cocktail contains around 150 calories, depending on the specific brands of Gin and absinthe used.
How strong is the London Fog Cocktail?
The London Fog Cocktail has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of approximately 30-40%, translating to 60-80 proof.
What alcohol is used in a London Fog Cocktail?
The cocktail uses Gin and absinthe as its primary spirits.
In which glass is a London Fog Cocktail served?
Bartenders typically serve a London Fog Cocktail in an Old Fashioned or rocks glass.
What does a London Fog Cocktail taste like?
The drink offers a unique blend of botanical flavors from the Gin and a distinct licorice taste from the absinthe.
How is a London Fog Cocktail served regarding ice?
Serve the cocktail over crushed ice to chill and slightly dilute the drink for balance.

Categories

Types

Flavours

Share
Pin
Post
Share
Send
Email

Rate this recipe

I don’t like it

It’s not bad

I like it

I really like it!

I love it!

Comments

Leave a Reply

Select language

The page you are looking at is also available in the following languages:

Recipe Overview

Explore our recipes by the categories below.

By spirit

By type

By flavor

Spirits Overview

Explore our spirits by the categories below.

Types