Cooper Union Cocktail

The Cooper Union is a creation that perfectly marries the spicy, robust character of rye whiskey with the delicate floral sweetness of St-Germain elderflower liqueur. The addition of dry vermouth provides a crisp, herbaceous backbone, while orange bitters tie all the elements together with a hint of citrus complexity. It is a stirred, chilled, and elegant drink served straight up, appealing to those who enjoy a well-balanced, spirit-driven sipper.
Cooper Union Cocktail

Preparation

Preparation time: 4 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Cooper Union is categorized as a modern classic cocktail, renowned in craft cocktail circles. It is a spirit-forward, stirred drink, placing it in the same sophisticated family as cocktails like the Manhattan or Martini, but with a unique floral twist.

Serving

Serve this spirit-forward cocktail cold in a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass. It has a significant alcohol content, making it a strong and flavorful sipper.
Serving size
Approximately 105 ml / 3.5 oz (before dilution)
Alcohol content
Approximately 28-32% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

Created by bartender Phil Ward at the influential New York City bar Death & Co. during the cocktail renaissance of the mid-2000s. The drink is named after The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, a historic college located near the bar in Manhattan's East Village. It reflects the creative and sophisticated spirit of both the bar and its neighborhood.
Origin
New York City, USA, circa 2008. Created by Phil Ward at Death & Co.

Cooper Union Cocktail

The drink is most commonly known as the Cooper Union Cocktail, though it is sometimes shortened to just Cooper Union. It is a well-regarded modern classic with a distinct and recognized name from the New York cocktail scene.
Original name
Cooper Union Cocktail
Alternative name
Cooper Union

Characteristics overview

This drink has a silky, smooth texture with a spicy rye and floral elderflower aroma. The taste is a beautiful balance of spirit, sweetness, and dryness, finishing with a long, clean herbal warmth.
Flavor
Spicy, Floral, Herbal, Semi-sweet, Citrusy
Aroma
Elderflower, Rye Spice, Lemon Oils, Botanical
Taste balance
Spirit-forward, Balanced Sweetness, Dry
Aftertaste
Long, Warming, Clean, Herbal
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Clear, Pale Gold, Amber
Texture
Silky, Smooth, Velvety
Seasonality
Year-round, Sophisticated

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is moderately intense and spirit-forward, with noticeable rye spice and floral sweetness. It is not sour, creamy, or carbonated, carrying a strong alcoholic presence.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

You will need rye whiskey as the base, complemented by St-Germain elderflower liqueur, dry vermouth, and a couple of dashes of orange bitters.
  • Rye Whiskey60 ml / 2 oz
    A bold, spicy 100-proof rye (e.g., Rittenhouse) works best to stand up to the other ingredients.
  • St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    The key floral and sweet component.
  • Dry Vermouth22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Use a fresh, good-quality dry vermouth like Dolin Dry or Noilly Prat.
  • Orange Bitters2 dashes
    Adds complexity and a subtle citrus note. Regan's No. 6 or Angostura Orange are good choices.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

This is a stirred drink, so you will need a mixing glass, a bar spoon for stirring, a jigger for measuring, and a strainer to serve it correctly.
  • Mixing glass: for combining and stirring the ingredients with ice.
  • Bar spoon: for stirring the cocktail to the correct temperature and dilution.
  • Jigger or measuring tool: for accurately measuring the liquid ingredients.
  • Julep or Hawthorne strainer: for straining the chilled liquid into the glass while holding back the ice.

Instructions

To make this drink, combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, stir until well-chilled, and then strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish by expressing a lemon peel over the top.
1. Chill your coupe or Nick & Nora glass by filling it with ice and water, or by placing it in the freezer for a few minutes.
2. Add all ingredients—rye whiskey, St-Germain, dry vermouth, and orange bitters—to a mixing glass.
3. Fill the mixing glass two-thirds full with fresh, cold ice cubes.
4. Stir with a bar spoon for 20-30 seconds until the outside of the glass is well-chilled and frosted.
5. Discard the ice from your serving glass.
6. Strain the contents of the mixing glass into the chilled serving glass.
7. Take a fresh lemon peel, hold it over the drink's surface, and twist to express the citrus oils. Rub the rim with the peel if desired, and then drop it into the drink.

Garnishing

The standard garnish is a lemon twist, which adds bright citrus aromas that complement the drink's floral and herbal notes.
  • Lemon Twist: Express the oils from a lemon peel over the drink and drop it in or place it on the rim.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is typically vegan, dairy-free, and caffeine-free. However, it is not considered gluten-free due to the use of rye whiskey, which is derived from gluten-containing grains.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✕ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail is moderately caloric, with around 225 kcal per serving. Most of its carbohydrates and sugars come from the elderflower liqueur.
Calories
Approximately 210-240 kcal / 880-1000 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 10-12 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 9-11 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is perfect for a sophisticated cocktail hour, as an elegant pre-dinner aperitif, or as a contemplative nightcap. Its balanced and spirit-forward nature makes it suitable for gatherings where classic-style drinks are appreciated.
  • Cocktail Hour
  • Pre-dinner Drink
  • Sophisticated Gathering
  • Nightcap

Pairing suggestions

The Cooper Union pairs well with savory and lightly rich foods. Consider serving it alongside a charcuterie board, mild cheeses, or roasted nuts to complement its complex, spirit-forward profile.
  • Mild cheeses (like goat cheese or brie)
  • Charcuterie boards
  • Light appetizers
  • Roasted nuts

The Cooper Union Cocktail: A Modern Classic of Balance and Elegance

The Cooper Union is a stellar example of modern mixology, created by Phil Ward at the renowned Death & Co. bar. It's a sophisticated, stirred cocktail that beautifully balances the spice of rye whiskey with the sweet, floral notes of St-Germain and the herbaceous dryness of vermouth. Served straight up in a coupe with a lemon twist, it is an elegant and memorable sipper for those who appreciate a well-crafted, spirit-forward drink.

Similar Cocktails

Manhattan

A classic cocktail using sweet vermouth and aromatic bitters instead of St-Germain, dry vermouth, and orange bitters. It is the spiritual predecessor.

Brooklyn

Another rye-based Manhattan variation, but it uses dry vermouth, Maraschino liqueur, and an amaro, creating a drier, more bitter profile.

Lucien Gaudin

A Negroni-like cocktail made with gin, dry vermouth, Campari, and Cointreau. It shares the dry vermouth and orange notes but uses gin as a base for a more bitter profile.

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