The Alaska cocktail is first mentioned in Jacques Straub’s 1914 book “Drinks”. At the time, this described a drink made from Old Tom Gin, Yellow Chartreuse and Orange Bitters. An Alaska cocktail is a twist on a classic martini cocktail. That’s why it’s often colloquially referred to as the “Alaska Martini”. Like many cocktails of its time, the Alaska Martini is now almost a “forgotten” classic, but it is slowly creeping back into people’s consciousness.
INGREDIENTS
- 45 ml/ 1 ½ oz. Gin (Old Tom)
- 15 ml/ ½ oz. Yellow Chartreuse
- 1 dash of Orange bitters
METHOD
- Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass filled with ice cubes.
- Stil well until well-chilled.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a lemon peel.
NOTES
Green Chartreuse (55% alcohol) is the original 1737 green liqueur, made from the 1605 recipe by Chartreuse Monks even today. The colour chartreuse is named after this liqueur.
Yellow Chartreuse (40% alcohol) was introduced in the 1800’s and is a milder, sweeter flavour and aroma than it’s older brother.
SHOPPING LIST
- Chartreuse | USA | UK* | Germany*
- Gin (Old Tom) | USA | UK* | Germany*
- Glasses | USA* | UK* | Germany*
