Guards Cocktail Recipe
Written by Enjoy the Guards Cocktail recipe this winter! Blend London Dry Gin, Vermouth, Orange Curacao Liqueur, and Orange Angostura Bitters for a delightful, cozy night cocktail.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 135
Ingredients
- 1 oz London Dry Gin
- ½ oz sweet vermouth
- ½ oz orange curacao liqueur
- 2 dashes orange bitters
- Ice cubes
- Orange twist - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Coupe Glass
- Measuring Jigger
- Mixing Glass
- Strainer
- Stirrer or Bar Spoon
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Fill your coupe glass with ice cubes and stir in order to chill it.
- Add Bitters: Add 2 dashes orange bitters into the mixing glass.
- Add Orange Curacao: Add ½ oz orange curacao liqueur to the mix.
- Add Vermouth: Measure and pour ½ oz sweet vermouth into the glass.
- Add Gin: Pour 1 oz London Dry Gin over the ice.
- Add Ice: Fill your mixing glass with ice.
- Stir Gently: Use a bar spoon to stir the ingredients gently.
- Strain: Strain your drink into the chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish: Place an orange twist into the glass for garnish.
Notes
Substitutes:
- London Dry Gin: If you don't have London Dry Gin, try using another type of gin like Plymouth or even a floral gin for a different flavor profile. I've also used vodka in a pinch; it changes the character but works well.
- Vermouth: If you're out of Sweet Vermouth, sherry can be a good substitute. It adds a slightly different but pleasant taste.
- Orange Curacao Liqueur: Triple Sec or Cointreau can replace Orange Curacao if needed. They both bring that essential orange flavor.
- Orange Angostura Bitters: Regular Angostura bitters can work if you don't have the orange bitters, though it will alter the flavor slightly.
Making a Pitcher of Guards 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 Vermouth, 4 oz of Orange Curacao Liqueur, and 16 dashes of Orange Angostura Bitters.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the gin, Vermouth, orange curacao liqueur, and bitters with ice. Stir well.
- Serve: Strain the mixture into chilled coupe glasses, garnish with an orange twist, and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Gin Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic gin substitute; these are available and reasonably mimic gin's botanicals.
- Vermouth Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic wine or a mix of grape juice with a splash of apple cider vinegar for acidity.
- Orange Curacao Substitute: You can opt for an orange-flavored syrup or make your own by infusing simple syrup with orange zest.
- Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.