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Astoria Cocktail Drink

Astoria Cocktail Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
Combine Gin, dry vermouth, orange bitters, and a lemon twist with this simple recipe for a delightful evening drink.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 169

Ingredients
 

  • 1 oz Gin - preferably Old Tom
  • 2 oz Dry Vermouth
  • 2 dashes of Orange Bitters
  • Lemon twist - for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Martini Glass or Coupe
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Stirrer or Bar Spoon
  • Mixing Glass

Instructions

  • Prep Glass: Chill your martini glass or coupe with ice.
  • Add Bitters: Add 2 dashes of Orange Bitters to the mixing glass.
  • Add Gin: Add 1 oz Gin to the mix.
  • Add Vermouth: Measure and pour 2 oz Dry Vermouth into the mixing glass.
  • Add Ice: Fill your mixing glass with ice.
  • Stir Gently: Use a bar spoon to stir the ingredients gently for about 30 seconds.
  • Strain and Serve: Empty the ice water from your chilled glass and strain the mixture.
  • Garnish: Express a lemon peel on the drink and place one on the rim of the glass for garnish.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Gin: If you don't have Gin, try using vodka for a cleaner, less botanical flavor. I've also experimented with white rum for a unique twist.
  • Dry Vermouth: You can use sweet vermouth in a pinch, but it will change the drink's character. Add an extra dash of orange bitters to balance the sweetness.
  • Orange Bitters: If you're out of orange bitters, Angostura bitters can work as a substitute, although it will slightly alter the flavor profile.

Making a Pitcher of Astoria Cocktail:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 16 oz of Gin, 8 oz of dry vermouth, and 16 dashes of orange bitters.
  • Mix: Combine the Gin, dry vermouth, and orange bitters in a large pitcher. Stir well with plenty of ice.
  • Serve: Strain the mixture into chilled martini glasses or coupes, garnish with lemon twists, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Gin Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic gin substitute; these are available and reasonably mimic Gin's botanicals.
  • Dry Vermouth Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic vermouth or make a simple syrup infused with herbs like rosemary and thyme for complexity.
  • Orange bitters: use a non-alcoholic option available on the market, orange blossom water could be an option as well.
  • 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:

The Astoria Cocktail is naturally vegan as long as you use vegan-certified spirits. Always check labels to ensure no animal products are used in production.