Caruso Cocktail

The Caruso is a classic gin cocktail that elegantly balances the botanical notes of gin with the herbal sweetness of dry vermouth and the cool, minty kick of green crème de menthe. It's a stirred, pre-dinner drink known for its distinctive pale green color and refreshing character. This forgotten classic offers a unique flavor profile for those looking to explore cocktails beyond the more common recipes, appealing especially to fans of the Martini and Stinger.
Caruso Cocktail

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Caruso is classified as a classic cocktail from the early 20th century. Due to its crisp, spirit-forward nature, it is also perfectly categorized as an aperitif, ideal for stimulating the appetite before a meal.

Serving

The Caruso is served straight up (without ice) in a chilled coupe or martini glass. It's a cold, moderately strong cocktail intended for sipping.
Serving size
Approximately 3.75 oz / 110 ml (before dilution)
Alcohol content
Approximately 28-32% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

This cocktail is named in honor of the world-renowned Italian operatic tenor, Enrico Caruso (1873-1921). The drink was likely created during his lifetime, at the peak of his fame in the early 20th century, as a tribute to his powerful voice and international stardom. Its first known appearance in print is in Harry McElhone's 1922 book, "ABC of Mixing Cocktails".
Origin
The exact origin is unconfirmed, but it is believed to have been created in either Europe or the United States during the 1910s or early 1920s, an era when naming cocktails after celebrities was a common practice.

Caruso Cocktail

The drink is almost exclusively known as the Caruso Cocktail, though it is sometimes shortened to simply Caruso. There are no other widely recognized alternative names for this classic recipe.
Original name
Caruso Cocktail
Alternative name
Caruso

Characteristics overview

This smooth, silky cocktail presents a refreshing mint and juniper aroma, leading to a crisp, herbal flavor profile with a clean, cooling aftertaste. Its signature characteristic is its beautiful pale green, translucent appearance.
Flavor
Herbal, minty, botanical, crisp, slightly sweet
Aroma
Mint, juniper, white wine, herbal botanicals
Taste balance
Sweet, herbal
Aftertaste
Clean, cooling, lingering mint, herbal
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Pale green, clear, translucent
Texture
Smooth, silky, slightly viscous
Seasonality
Refreshing, all-season

Flavor intensity & Experience

The Caruso has a moderate alcohol strength and flavor profile, defined by a gentle sweetness and herbal bitterness from the vermouth and mint liqueur. It is a still drink with no fruity, spicy, or creamy notes.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires three key alcoholic ingredients: a London Dry Gin as the base, complemented by Dry Vermouth and Green Crème de Menthe for its characteristic flavor and color.
  • London Dry Gin1.5 oz / 45 ml
    A classic, juniper-forward London Dry Gin works best to stand up to the other ingredients.
  • Dry Vermouth0.75 oz / 22.5 ml
    A quality French dry vermouth is recommended.
  • Green Crème de Menthe0.5 oz / 15 ml
    The green version is essential for the cocktail's signature color. Quality matters for a less artificial taste.

Ice type

  • Cubed ice for stirring

Mixing equipments

You will need standard bar equipment for a stirred cocktail: a mixing glass, a jigger for measuring, a long bar spoon for stirring, and a strainer to pour the chilled liquid.
  • Mixing glass: For combining and stirring the ingredients with ice.
  • Jigger or measuring tool: For accurate measurement of ingredients.
  • Bar spoon: For stirring the cocktail until properly chilled and diluted.
  • Strainer (Julep or Hawthorne): To hold back the ice when pouring into the glass.

Instructions

The preparation is straightforward for a stirred drink: chill your glass, combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, stir until cold, and strain into the chilled glass. Garnish if desired and serve right away.
1. Place your coupe or martini glass in the freezer to chill for at least 15 minutes before mixing.
2. Measure and pour the gin, dry vermouth, and green crème de menthe into a mixing glass.
3. Fill the mixing glass two-thirds full with fresh, cold cubed ice.
4. Stir with a bar spoon gently but firmly for about 20-30 seconds, until the outside of the mixing glass is frosty and well-chilled.
5. Using a strainer, pour the mixture from the mixing glass into your pre-chilled coupe glass.
6. If using, gently drop a single maraschino cherry into the glass as a garnish and serve immediately.

Garnishing

A garnish is optional for the Caruso Cocktail, but a single maraschino cherry dropped into the glass adds a classic touch and a spot of color contrast.
  • Maraschino cherry: Drop a single stemmed or stemless maraschino cherry into the finished drink (optional).

Dietary Information

This alcoholic cocktail is naturally free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, soy, and nuts. It is typically vegan and gluten-free, though it's always best to verify the specific brands of spirits and liqueurs used.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail contains a moderate amount of calories, carbohydrates, and sugar, almost all of which comes from the crème de menthe liqueur and a small amount from the vermouth.
Calories
Averagely 180 kcal / 753 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 9g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 9g
Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is an excellent choice for an aperitif to start an evening. It's well-suited for sophisticated cocktail parties or any occasion that calls for a classic, spirit-forward drink.
  • Aperitif hour
  • Cocktail party
  • Pre-dinner drink
  • Sophisticated gathering

Pairing suggestions

The Caruso's herbal and minty profile pairs well with light, savory, and salty snacks. Consider offering it alongside green olives, salted nuts, or mild cheeses to complement its flavors without overwhelming the palate.
  • Salted almonds
  • Green olives
  • Mild, soft cheeses like goat cheese

The Caruso Cocktail: A Harmonious Aria in a Glass

The Caruso Cocktail is a forgotten classic from the early 20th century, named after the famed tenor Enrico Caruso. It is a stirred, gin-based drink with dry vermouth and a defining touch of green crème de menthe, resulting in a pale green, aromatic, and refreshingly herbaceous aperitif. Perfect for gin lovers seeking a unique and sophisticated pre-dinner cocktail, the Caruso offers a beautiful balance of botanical, herbal, and minty notes that distinguish it from more common classics.

Similar cocktails

Stinger

A simpler, two-ingredient classic made with brandy (or Cognac) and white crème de menthe. It shares the minty profile but is richer and darker.

Dry Martini

A very close relative, consisting of just gin and dry vermouth. The Caruso can be thought of as a Martini with an added touch of mint liqueur.

Gin & It

A classic English cocktail made with gin and sweet (Italian) vermouth. Simpler and sweeter than the Caruso, without the mint.

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