Foggy Bottom

The Foggy Bottom is a sophisticated and potent cocktail that brilliantly balances the botanical notes of gin with the complex herbal character of Green Chartreuse. Fresh lime juice adds a sharp, citrusy brightness, while a touch of simple syrup and a dash of Angostura bitters round out the flavor profile. It's a powerful yet refreshing drink, often compared to The Last Word but with a more prominent gin presence.
Foggy Bottom

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Foggy Bottom is categorized as a modern classic cocktail. It's a shaken, gin-based drink that falls into the sour category due to its use of citrus juice. It is appreciated as a sophisticated, spirit-forward cocktail.

Serving

Served straight up in a chilled coupe glass, the Foggy Bottom is a relatively strong, cold cocktail with a potent ABV.
Serving size
Approximately 4 oz / 120 ml (before dilution)
Alcohol content
Approximately 28-32% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled glass

Backstory

The Foggy Bottom cocktail was created around 2009 by renowned bartender Derek Brown at The Gibson in Washington D.C. The name is a nod to the Foggy Bottom neighborhood in D.C., known for its misty conditions from the nearby Potomac River and its association with the U.S. State Department. The drink reflects the city's burgeoning craft cocktail scene of the late 2000s.
Origin
Created by Derek Brown in Washington D.C., USA, around 2009.

Foggy Bottom

The drink is consistently known by its original name, the Foggy Bottom, sometimes with "Cocktail" appended. There are no significant alternative names for this modern classic.
Original name
Foggy Bottom
Alternative name
Foggy Bottom Cocktail

Characteristics overview

This drink presents a complex herbal and botanical aroma, with a sharp, citrus-forward flavor balanced by a subtle sweetness. It has a smooth, clean texture and a long, warming herbal aftertaste, making it a refreshing yet potent choice for any season.
Flavor
Herbal, citrusy, botanical, complex, slightly sweet, sharp
Aroma
Juniper, lime, complex herbs, anise, mint
Taste balance
Sour, sweet, bitter
Aftertaste
Long, warming, herbal, clean
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Pale green, hazy, clear
Texture
Smooth, crisp, clean
Seasonality
Refreshing, year-round

Flavor intensity & Experience

The Foggy Bottom is a flavor-intense drink, characterized by a high level of sourness from the lime and a strong alcohol presence. Its herbal complexity and moderate sweetness create a well-balanced but powerful profile.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires gin as its base, complemented by the essential herbal liqueur Green Chartreuse. Fresh lime juice, simple syrup, and a dash of Angostura bitters complete the recipe.
  • Gin2 oz / 60 ml
    Plymouth Gin is often recommended, but a good quality London Dry Gin also works well.
  • Green Chartreuse0.75 oz / 22.5 ml
    Essential for the drink's unique herbal profile. There is no direct substitute.
  • Lime Juice0.75 oz / 22.5 ml
    Must be freshly squeezed for best results.
  • Simple Syrup0.5 oz / 15 ml
    Standard 1:1 ratio of sugar to water. Adjust to taste.
  • Angostura Bitters1 dash
    Adds depth and complexity to the cocktail.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a standard cocktail shaking set, including a shaker, jigger, and strainers. A citrus juicer is also necessary for the fresh lime juice.
  • Cocktail shaker: To combine and chill the ingredients.
  • Jigger or measuring tool: For accurate measurement of liquids.
  • Strainer (Hawthorne and fine mesh): To pour the chilled liquid without ice shards.
  • Citrus juicer: To extract fresh lime juice.

Instructions

To prepare the Foggy Bottom, combine all ingredients in an ice-filled shaker, shake until well-chilled, and then double strain into a chilled coupe glass.
1. Chill your coupe or cocktail glass in the freezer or by filling it with ice and water.
2. Add gin, Green Chartreuse, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, and Angostura bitters to a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with cubed ice.
4. Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds until well-chilled.
5. Discard the ice from your chilled glass.
6. Double strain the contents of the shaker into the chilled glass to remove any ice chips.
7. If using, garnish with a lime twist. Serve immediately.

Garnishing

The Foggy Bottom is traditionally served without a garnish to emphasize its clean profile. However, an optional lime twist can be added to enhance the citrus aroma.
  • Lime Twist (optional): Express the oils from a lime peel over the drink and drop it in or place it on the rim.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally alcoholic, vegan, and free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, gluten, and nuts. It is also caffeine-free.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail contains around 220-250 calories per serving, primarily from the alcohol and sugar. The carbohydrate and sugar content are moderate, stemming from the liqueur and simple syrup.
Calories
Averagely 220-250 kcal / 920-1046 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 12-15 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 10-13 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is perfect for a sophisticated cocktail hour or as an impressive pre-dinner drink (apéritif). Its complex flavor profile makes it a great choice for social gatherings with cocktail enthusiasts or for a celebratory occasion.
  • Cocktail Hour
  • Social Gathering
  • Pre-dinner Drink
  • Celebratory Toast

Pairing suggestions

The Foggy Bottom's herbal and citrus notes pair well with briny foods like oysters or salty cured meats. It can also complement the tanginess of goat cheese or cut through the richness of light seafood appetizers.
  • Oysters
  • Goat cheese
  • Cured meats (charcuterie)
  • Light seafood dishes

Foggy Bottom: A Modern Herbal Masterpiece

The Foggy Bottom is a compelling modern classic cocktail from Washington D.C. that offers a powerful and complex flavor experience. It masterfully blends the botanical qualities of gin with the intense herbal profile of Green Chartreuse, balanced by the bright acidity of fresh lime juice. Served chilled and straight up, it's a sophisticated, gin-forward sour that appeals to fans of drinks like The Last Word or the Chartreuse Swizzle. It stands as a testament to the creativity of the modern craft cocktail movement.

Similar Cocktails

The Last Word

Uses equal parts gin, Green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice. It's less gin-forward and has the added cherry funk from maraschino.

Chartreuse Swizzle

Features Green Chartreuse as the base spirit, with pineapple juice, lime juice, and falernum. It's a tiki-style drink served over crushed ice.

Final Ward

An equal-parts cocktail that swaps the base spirit to rye whiskey and uses lemon juice instead of lime, alongside Green Chartreuse and maraschino liqueur.

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