Turf Club Cocktail Drink

Turf Club

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

Searching for a sophisticated drink? turn to this Turf Club recipe. Assemble the ingredients, easily make it, and elevate your cocktail game.

Turf Club Cocktail Recipe

Try this Turf Club Cocktail recipe! The harmony of gin, dry vermouth, and maraschino liqueur offers a classic drink for timeless enjoyment.

Prep time:

1 minute

Mixing time:

1 minute

Servings:

1

Calories:

142 kl

Ingredients

  • 1 oz Gin
  • 1 oz dry Vermouth
  • ¼ oz Maraschino Liqueur
  • 2 dashes Angostura orange bitters
  • 2 dashes Absinthe
  • Lemon twist, for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Cocktail Glass
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Stirrer or Bar Spoon
  • Mixing Glass

Instructions

  • Chill the Glass: Place your cocktail glass in the freezer or fill it with ice cubes to chill.
  • Mix Ingredients: In the mixing glass, combine 2 dashes Absinthe, 2 dashes Angostura orange bitters, ¼ oz Maraschino Liqueur, 1 oz dry Vermouth, and 1 oz Gin.
  • Add Ice: Fill the mixing glass with ice cubes.
  • Stir Gently: Use a bar spoon to mix the ingredients without bruising them.
  • Strain into Glass: Empty your chilled cocktail glass and strain the mixture.
  • Garnish: Adorn the cocktail with a lemon twist for an added zest.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Gin: Sometimes, I swap gin with vodka for a cleaner taste profile. For a smoky touch, mezcal can be intriguing but use it sparingly.
  • Dry Vermouth: White Lillet can be a good substitute. It's a bit sweeter, so you might want to adjust the other ingredients accordingly.
  • Maraschino Liqueur: If I run out of Maraschino, I use a splash of cherry brandy or syrup, but remember, it's sweeter.
  • Absinthe: Using any anise-flavored liqueur like Pastis, would be a good choice.

Making a Pitcher:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher serving 8, multiply all ingredients by 8. You'll need 8 oz of gin, 8 oz of dry vermouth, 2 oz of maraschino liqueur, 16 dashes of orange bitters, and 16 dashes of absinthe.
  • Mix & Serve: Combine all the ingredients in a large pitcher with ice, stir well, then serve in chilled cocktail glasses garnished with a lemon twist.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Gin Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic gin alternative available in the market.
  • Maraschino Liqueur Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic cherry syrup.
  • Absinthe Substitute: choose a non-alcoholic alternative in the market or use anise-flavored syrup.
  • Orange bitters Substitute: use a couple of drops of orange essence.
  • Proceed: Replace alcoholic ingredients with these substitutes, then follow the original instructions to enjoy a non-alcoholic Turf Club version.

Making it Vegan:

The Turf Club Cocktail, as listed, is inherently vegan. Always check your ingredients' labels, especially any syrups or sweeteners, to ensure they don't contain animal-derived products.

Nutrition Facts

Calories
142
% Daily Value*
Sodium
 
3
mg
0
%
Carbohydrates
 
6
g
2
%
Sugar
 
3
g
3
%
Potassium
 
28
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
2
mg
0
%
Iron
 
0.01
mg
0
%

 

Turf Club Cocktail Drink

Turf Club Cocktail Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
Jump to Video
Try this Turf Club Cocktail recipe! The harmony of gin, dry vermouth, and maraschino liqueur offers a classic drink for timeless enjoyment.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 142

Ingredients
 

  • 1 oz Gin
  • 1 oz dry Vermouth
  • ¼ oz Maraschino Liqueur
  • 2 dashes Angostura orange bitters
  • 2 dashes Absinthe
  • Lemon twist - for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Cocktail Glass
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Stirrer or Bar Spoon
  • Mixing Glass

Instructions

  • Chill the Glass: Place your cocktail glass in the freezer or fill it with ice cubes to chill.
  • Mix Ingredients: In the mixing glass, combine 2 dashes Absinthe, 2 dashes Angostura orange bitters, ¼ oz Maraschino Liqueur, 1 oz dry Vermouth, and 1 oz Gin.
  • Add Ice: Fill the mixing glass with ice cubes.
  • Stir Gently: Use a bar spoon to mix the ingredients without bruising them.
  • Strain into Glass: Empty your chilled cocktail glass and strain the mixture.
  • Garnish: Adorn the cocktail with a lemon twist for an added zest.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Gin: Sometimes, I swap gin with vodka for a cleaner taste profile. For a smoky touch, mezcal can be intriguing but use it sparingly.
  • Dry Vermouth: White Lillet can be a good substitute. It's a bit sweeter, so you might want to adjust the other ingredients accordingly.
  • Maraschino Liqueur: If I run out of Maraschino, I use a splash of cherry brandy or syrup, but remember, it's sweeter.
  • Absinthe: Using any anise-flavored liqueur like Pastis, would be a good choice.

Making a Pitcher:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher serving 8, multiply all ingredients by 8. You'll need 8 oz of gin, 8 oz of dry vermouth, 2 oz of maraschino liqueur, 16 dashes of orange bitters, and 16 dashes of absinthe.
  • Mix & Serve: Combine all the ingredients in a large pitcher with ice, stir well, then serve in chilled cocktail glasses garnished with a lemon twist.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Gin Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic gin alternative available in the market.
  • Maraschino Liqueur Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic cherry syrup.
  • Absinthe Substitute: choose a non-alcoholic alternative in the market or use anise-flavored syrup.
  • Orange bitters Substitute: use a couple of drops of orange essence.
  • Proceed: Replace alcoholic ingredients with these substitutes, then follow the original instructions to enjoy a non-alcoholic Turf Club version.

Making it Vegan:

The Turf Club Cocktail, as listed, is inherently vegan. Always check your ingredients' labels, especially any syrups or sweeteners, to ensure they don't contain animal-derived products.

What is a Turf Club Cocktail?

Turf Club Cocktail is a gin drink with dry vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and a bit of bitterness. Historians trace its origins back to classic cocktail lounges, where patrons desired something refined yet different. The name “Turf Club” hints at its association with past elite horse racing clubs.

A side shot of a Turf Club cocktail in a cocktail glass on a dark brown tray placed on a green cloth on a beige table surrounded by a mixing glass, a bar spoon, a lemon, and a jigger.

What is a Turf Club Cocktail made of – The ingredients

A Turf Club is made up of these components:

  • Gin: The primary spirit that provides the drink’s foundational flavor.
  • Dry Vermouth: A fortified wine that adds depth and a slightly herbal undertone to the cocktail.
  • Orange Bitters: Enhances the drink with a zesty citrus kick.
  • Absinthe: it gives a subtle anise flavor.
  • Maraschino Liqueur: Offers a subtle, sweet cherry note to balance the cocktail’s overall profile.
  • Lemon Twist (for garnish): Imparts a refreshing aroma and a hint of citrus zest to elevate the drinking experience.

Absinthe, Gin, Dry Vermouth, Maraschino Liqueur, and Orange Bitters laid out on a white bar table.

How do you make a Turf Club Cocktail?

Follow our guide step by step to expertly craft a Turf Club:

1
<p>Begin by chilling your cocktail glass, placing it in the freezer, or filling it with ice cubes.</p>

Begin by chilling your cocktail glass, placing it in the freezer, or filling it with ice cubes.

2
<p>Incorporate Absinthe into the mixing glass.</p>

Incorporate Absinthe into the mixing glass.

3
<p>Add Angostura orange bitters to the mixing glass.</p>

Add Angostura orange bitters to the mixing glass.

4
<p>Pour Maraschino liqueur to the mix.</p>

Pour Maraschino liqueur to the mix.

5
<p>Add dry Vermouth to the mixing glass.</p>

Add dry Vermouth to the mixing glass.

6
<p>Add Gin to the mixing glass.</p>

Add Gin to the mixing glass.

7
<p>Add ice cubes into the mixing glass.</p>

Add ice cubes into the mixing glass.

8
<p>Use a bar spoon to stir the ingredients together, ensuring a gentle mix without over-agitating.</p>

Use a bar spoon to stir the ingredients together, ensuring a gentle mix without over-agitating.

9
<p>Once well-blended, empty any ice or water from your chilled cocktail glass.</p>

Once well-blended, empty any ice or water from your chilled cocktail glass.

10
<p>Strain the mixture from the mixing glass into your chilled cocktail glass.</p>

Strain the mixture from the mixing glass into your chilled cocktail glass.

11
<p>Squeeze a lemon peel over the glass, to spray the oils into the drink.</p>

Squeeze a lemon peel over the glass, to spray the oils into the drink.

12
<p>Drop the lemon twist, adding a refreshing aroma and a hint of citrus zest to the cocktail.</p>

Drop the lemon twist, adding a refreshing aroma and a hint of citrus zest to the cocktail.

13
<p>Enjoy your Turf Club cocktail!</p>

Enjoy your Turf Club cocktail!

A Turf Club cocktail, shot from above, in a cocktail glass on a dark brown tray placed on a green cloth on a beige table surrounded by two lemons, and a jigger.

Turf Club Cocktail with Vodka

Vodka brings a cleaner, more neutral profile to the mix, stripping away the herbal notes of gin. This swap places more emphasis on the flavors of vermouth and maraschino liqueur. If you’re diving into the vodka world, brands like Grey Goose, Belvedere, and Tito’s stand out for their purity and smoothness. For a Turf Club twist with vodka, I’d recommend Tito’s – it’s top-notch, distilled from corn, and offers a slightly sweet undertone.

A side shot of a Turf Club cocktail in a cocktail glass on a dark brown tray placed on a green cloth on a beige table surrounded by a mixing glass, a bar spoon, two lemons, and a jigger.

History and Origin

The Turf Club Cocktail traces its roots back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a golden cocktail era. During this time, the cocktail culture thrived, particularly in the United States, with bartenders experimenting and creating numerous classic drinks.

The name “Turf Club” suggests an association with horse racing and the elite clubs where members gathered to socialize, gamble, and drink. These establishments often had their signature drinks, and it’s plausible that the Turf Club Cocktail emerged as one such specialty.

Early mentions of the Turf Club Cocktail appear in bartending guides like Harry Johnson’s “Bartenders’ Manual” from the 1900. However, as with many classic cocktails, pinpointing its exact origin or the individual who first concocted it proves challenging. Over the years, the recipe underwent several iterations and adjustments based on personal preferences and available ingredients.

A Turf Club cocktail, shot from above, in a cocktail glass on a white bar table with Gin, Dry Vermouth, Orange Bitters, Maraschino Liqueur and Absinthe around.

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FAQ

How many calories are in a Turf Club Cocktail?
It typically contains around 180-220 calories, depending on the specific ingredients and their quantities.
How strong is the Turf Club Cocktail?
The strength can vary, but on average, it has an ABV (Alcohol By Volume) of about 20-25%. This translates to 40-50 proof.
What alcohol is predominantly used in the Turf Club Cocktail?
Gin serves as the primary alcohol.
In which type of glass is the Turf Club Cocktail typically served?
The cocktail is usually served in a chilled cocktail or martini glass.
What does a Turf Club Cocktail taste like?
It offers a harmonious blend of herbal and citrus notes from the gin and vermouth, with a subtle sweetness and cherry undertone from the maraschino liqueur.
What's the typical ratio of ingredients in a Turf Club Cocktail?
The classic recipe has 1 part of gin and dry vermouth, 0.25 part of maraschino liqueur and some drops of orange bitters and absinthe.
How is the Turf Club Cocktail usually served with ice?
It's traditionally served "up," which means it's mixed with ice to chill, then strained into a glass without ice.

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