Refresh yourself with the Wink Cocktail recipe! Blend Absinthe, London Dry Gin, Triple Sec, Sugar Syrup, and Peychaud's Bitters for a perfect winter drink.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 138
Ingredients
- Absinthe to rinse
- 1 oz London Dry Gin
- ½ oz triple sec
- ¼ oz sugar syrup
- 2 dashes of Peychaud's Bitters
- Ice cubes
- Lemon twist - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Old Fashioned Glass
- Measuring Jigger
- Shaker
- Strainer and fine-strainer
Instructions
- Add Absinthe: Rinse the Old Fashioned glass with absinthe
- Chill Glass: Fill your Old Fashioned glass with ice cubes, stir, and set it aside.
- Add Bitters: Add 2 dashes of Peychaud's Bitters to a shaker.
- Add Sugar Syrup: Pour in ¼ oz sugar syrup.
- Add Triple Sec: Add ½ oz triple sec to the mix.
- Add Gin: Measure and pour 1 oz London Dry Gin into the shaker.
- Add Ice: Fill your shaker with ice cubes.
- Shake: Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds.
- Empty Glass: Discard the ice and the absinthe from your Old Fashioned glass.
- Strain: Fine strain your mixture into the chilled and absinthe-coated Old Fashioned glass.
- Garnish: Place a lemon twist into the glass for garnish.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Absinthe: If you don't have absinthe, try using Pernod or another anise-flavored liqueur. I've also used pastis in a pinch, which works well but has a slightly different flavor profile.
- London Dry Gin: You can use any gin you prefer, but a classic London Dry Gin gives the best balance. If you're out of gin, vodka can work as a neutral substitute, though it changes the drink's character.
- Triple Sec: Cointreau or Grand Marnier are an excellent alternative to triple sec if you don't have it on hand.
- Sugar Syrup: If you don't have sugar syrup, you can make your own by dissolving equal parts sugar and water over low heat until thoroughly combined. Honey syrup (honey mixed with water) can also be used for a different sweetness profile.
- Peychaud's Bitters: If you don't have Peychaud's, you can use Angostura bitters, though it will alter the flavor.
Making a Pitcher of Wink Cocktail:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 8 oz of London Dry Gin, 4 oz of triple sec, 2 oz of sugar syrup, and 16 dashes of Peychaud's Bitters.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the gin, triple sec, sugar syrup, and bitters. Stir well.
- Serve: Pour the mixture into chilled and absinthe-coated Old Fashioned glasses, garnish with lemon twists, and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Absinthe Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic anise-flavored spirit or make an anise-flavored simple syrup by infusing water with star anise and sweetening it.
- Gin Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic gin substitute; these are available and reasonably mimic gin's botanicals.
- Triple Sec Substitute: Use an orange-flavored non-alcoholic syrup or cordial.
- Proceed As Usual: Omit the bitters and use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
The standard Wink Cocktail recipe is vegan-friendly since it doesn't contain any animal products or by-products. If you're strict about vegan ingredients, just ensure that your sugar syrup is made from vegan-certified sugar.What is a Wink Cocktail?
A Wink Cocktail is a gin-based drink made of absinthe, London Dry Gin, triple sec, sugar syrup, and Peychaud’s bitters. It’s easy to make; the steps are straightforward and involve simple mixing and stirring. The unique combination of ingredients provides a complex yet balanced flavor profile that makes this cocktail stand out.
What is a Wink Cocktail made of – The ingredients
To make a Wink Cocktail, gather these ingredients:
- Absinthe: Adds a robust and herbal anise flavor that forms the cocktail’s base.
- London Dry Gin: Provides a botanical and juniper-forward taste that complements the absinthe.
- Triple Sec: Brings a sweet and citrusy note to balance the more robust flavors.
- Sugar Syrup: Adds sweetness to smooth out the drink’s overall profile.
- Peychaud’s Bitters: Introduces a hint of spice and complexity to enhance the other ingredients.
