Artillery Cocktail

Name: Artillery Cocktail
Prep time: 3 min
Total time: 3 min
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients: 2 oz / 60 ml Gin; 0.5 oz / 15 ml Sweet Vermouth; 2 dashes Angostura Bitters

Ingredients Instructions

The Artillery Cocktail is an elegant and robust drink from the golden age of cocktails. It masterfully combines the botanical notes of gin with the rich, herbal sweetness of Italian vermouth. A couple of dashes of Angostura bitters add depth and a spicy complexity, tying the ingredients together. This is a quintessential stirred cocktail for those who appreciate a drink that is both strong and nuanced.

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time

Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Artillery Cocktail is a classic cocktail from the late 19th century. It falls into the category of stirred, aromatic, spirit-forward drinks, similar in style to a Manhattan or Martinez, but with gin as its base.

Serving

Served straight up in a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass, this is a potent but relatively small cocktail. It is served cold without ice to maintain its smooth texture and clarity.

Serving size

Approximately 3 oz / 90 ml

Alcohol content

Approximately 28-32% ABV

Alcohol strength

Serving temperature

Cold

Glass type

Coupe

Glass treatment

Chilled

Backstory

The Artillery Cocktail first appeared in print in the late 19th century, with a notable mention in Harry Johnson's 1882 "Bartenders' Manual". Its name is thought to be a nod to the "kick" it delivers, much like a piece of artillery. It represents an era of simple, yet potent, cocktails built on a foundation of quality spirits and modifiers.

Origin

United States, late 19th century (circa 1880s).

Artillery Cocktail

The drink is primarily known as the Artillery Cocktail. It is sometimes referred to as Artillery No. 1 to distinguish it from other drinks with similar names, though this is less common.

Original name

Artillery Cocktail

Alternative name

Artillery No. 1

Characteristics overview

The Artillery Cocktail has a smooth, silky texture with a gin-forward botanical flavor profile, balanced by sweet vermouth and spice. Its aroma is a complex mix of juniper and citrus oils, leading to a clean, warming finish.

Flavor

Gin-forward, botanical, herbaceous, slightly sweet, bitter spice

Aroma

Juniper, lemon oils, sweet wine, warm spice

Taste balance

Spirit-forward, balanced sweet and bitter

Aftertaste

Clean, warming, herbal, lingering spice

Fizziness

Still, non-carbonated

Color appearance

Clear, pale amber or light gold hue

Texture

Smooth, silky, slightly viscous

Seasonality

All-season, classic, timeless

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is spirit-forward and moderately intense, with a clear balance between the gin's botanicals, the vermouth's sweetness, and the bitters' spice. It is not overly sweet, sour, or bitter.

Sweetness

Saltiness

Sourness

Bitterness

Spiciness

Fruitiness

Creaminess

Carbonation

Ingredients

This recipe requires three key ingredients: a good quality gin as the base, sweet vermouth for herbal sweetness, and Angostura bitters for aromatic spice.

Gin2 oz / 60 ml
A London Dry or Plymouth style gin works best.
Sweet Vermouth0.5 oz / 15 ml
Use a quality Italian-style sweet vermouth.
Angostura Bitters2 dashes
Essential for the drink's spicy complexity.

Ice type

Cubed (for stirring)

Mixing equipments

You will need standard stirring equipment: a mixing glass, a bar spoon for chilling and dilution, a jigger for measurement, and a strainer.

Mixing glass: for combining and chilling the ingredients.
Bar spoon: for stirring the cocktail gently.
Jigger: for measuring the liquid ingredients accurately.
Strainer: (Julep or Hawthorne) for separating the ice from the chilled liquid.

Instructions

Preparation involves chilling the glass, stirring the ingredients with ice in a mixing glass, and straining into the glass. The final step is garnishing with an expressed lemon twist.

1. Chill your serving glass (a coupe or Nick & Nora) by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer.

2. Add the gin, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters to a mixing glass.

3. Fill the mixing glass two-thirds full with fresh, cold ice cubes.

4. Stir the mixture with a bar spoon for 20-30 seconds until well-chilled and properly diluted.

5. Discard the ice from your chilled serving glass.

6. Strain the contents of the mixing glass into the chilled serving glass.

7. Take a swath of lemon peel, express its oils over the surface of the drink, and then use it as a garnish.

Garnishing

The cocktail is finished with a simple but essential lemon twist. Expressing the citrus oils over the glass adds a bright, aromatic dimension.

Lemon twist: Express the oils over the drink's surface and drop it in or place it on the rim.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is generally free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, and soy. It is vegan, vegetarian, caffeine-free, and typically gluten-free.

✓ Contains alcohol

✓ Caffeine-free

✓ Dairy-free

✓ Egg-free

✓ Soy-free

✓ Nut-free

✓ Gluten-free

✓ Vegan-friendly

✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This drink is moderately caloric due to the alcohol content. It is low in carbohydrates and sugar, as the only significant source is the small amount of sweet vermouth.

Calories

Approximately 160-180 kcal / 670-750 kJ

Calories level

Carbohydrates

Approximately 4-5 g

Carbohydrate level

Sugar

Approximately 3-4 g

Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is perfect as a pre-dinner aperitif to stimulate the palate. It suits sophisticated cocktail parties and quiet evenings when a strong, classic drink is desired.

Aperitif
Cocktail party
Sophisticated gathering
Pre-dinner drink

Pairing suggestions

The Artillery Cocktail pairs well with savory and salty appetizers that complement its spirit-forward nature. Consider serving it with olives, a small cheese board with hard cheeses like Parmesan, or a selection of charcuterie.

Olives
Salted nuts
Charcuterie
Hard cheeses

The Artillery Cocktail: A Classic Gin Volley

The Artillery Cocktail is a timeless classic for the discerning gin drinker. It is a simple yet sophisticated blend of gin, sweet vermouth, and bitters, served straight up with a lemon twist. This spirit-forward drink is perfect for an aperitif, offering a beautifully balanced profile of botanical, herbal, and spicy notes with a smooth, clean finish. It's an excellent choice for anyone who enjoys a well-made Martinez or a gin-based Manhattan.