Gin In The Afternoon

A simple yet elegant two-ingredient cocktail, the Gin In The Afternoon combines the aromatic botanicals of gin with the effervescence of Champagne. It's a lighter, more approachable take on Ernest Hemingway's original absinthe-based creation, "Death in the Afternoon." The gin provides a floral and juniper-forward profile that pairs beautifully with the dry, crisp notes of the sparkling wine. This results in a wonderfully refreshing aperitif that is both easy to make and sophisticated to serve.
Gin In The Afternoon

Preparation

Preparation time: 2 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Gin In The Afternoon is classified as a sparkling cocktail due to its use of Champagne. It's a simple, elegant drink often served as an aperitif, similar in style to other classic Champagne cocktails but with a distinct gin-forward profile.

Serving

Served very cold in a pre-chilled Champagne flute or coupe glass, this is a crisp and moderately strong sparkling cocktail. No ice is used in the final drink.
Serving size
approx. 150 ml / 5 oz
Alcohol content
Approx. 15-20% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Champagne Flute or Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

This cocktail is a modern twist on the "Death in the Afternoon," which was famously invented by author Ernest Hemingway and published in a 1935 cocktail book. While Hemingway's original called for absinthe and Champagne, this version caters to gin lovers by making a direct spirit substitution. The name "Gin In The Afternoon" is a direct and playful homage to its predecessor and the author's famous non-fiction book, "Death in the Afternoon."
Origin
The Gin In The Afternoon is a modern variation with no single credited inventor. It likely emerged in the 21st century in the United States or the United Kingdom, created by bartenders and home enthusiasts as a direct riff on the classic Hemingway drink from the 1930s.

Gin In The Afternoon

This cocktail is often abbreviated to GITM. It's sometimes playfully referred to as "Hemingway's Other Cocktail" due to its direct lineage from his famous absinthe-based drink, "Death in the Afternoon." The name itself is a clear and witty homage to its inspiration.
Original name
Gin In The Afternoon
Alternative names
  • GITM
  • Hemingway's Other Cocktail

Characteristics overview

This drink offers a crisp, bubbly texture with a botanical and juniper-forward flavor profile, balanced by the dry, yeasty notes of Champagne. It has a clean, refreshing finish perfect for any celebration.
Flavor
Botanical, Juniper, Crisp, Dry, Effervescent, Herbal
Aroma
Juniper, Floral, Citrus, Yeasty
Taste balance
Dry, Slightly Sweet
Aftertaste
Clean, Crisp, Botanical
Fizziness
Bubbly, Effervescent
Color appearance
Pale straw, Clear, Bubbly
Texture
Light, Bubbly, Crisp
Seasonality
Refreshing, All-season, Celebratory

Flavor intensity & Experience

A distinctly dry and highly carbonated cocktail with a moderate alcohol presence. The overall flavor is driven by gin's botanicals rather than being fruity, sweet, or sour.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

Only two core ingredients are needed to craft this drink: a good quality London Dry Gin and a well-chilled Brut Champagne or other dry sparkling wine.
  • London Dry Gin30 ml / 1 oz
    A classic London Dry style works best to provide a strong juniper backbone that stands up to the Champagne.
  • Champagne120 ml / 4 oz, or to top
    Use well-chilled Brut Champagne for authenticity and dryness. Good quality Prosecco, Cava, or other dry sparkling wine can be substituted.

Ice type

  • None

Mixing equipments

No special mixing equipment is needed beyond a jigger or measuring cup for accurate pours. The drink is built directly in the serving glass.
  • Jigger for measuring liquids

Instructions

This is a very simple built-in-glass cocktail. Just pour chilled gin into a chilled flute and gently top with cold Champagne to preserve the bubbles.
1. Ensure both your gin and Champagne are well-chilled before starting. Place your Champagne flute or coupe glass in the freezer for 5-10 minutes to chill it thoroughly.
2. Pour the 30 ml (1 oz) of chilled gin directly into the chilled Champagne flute or coupe.
3. Slowly and gently top with about 120 ml (4 oz) of chilled Champagne, pouring at an angle to preserve as much carbonation as possible.
4. If using a garnish, take a strip of lemon peel, twist it over the surface of the drink to express its fragrant oils, then drop it into the glass.
5. Serve immediately while it is cold and bubbly.

Garnishing

A simple lemon twist is an optional but highly recommended garnish. Expressing its oils over the drink adds a bright, fresh citrus aroma that complements the gin.
  • Lemon twist (optional) - Express the oils from a lemon peel over the drink's surface and then drop it in.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, and gluten. Provided the Champagne is vegan-certified, the drink is suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a relatively low-calorie and low-sugar alcoholic beverage, with the majority of its calories derived from the alcohol content of the gin and wine.
Calories
Approx. 130-150 kcal / 544-628 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approx. 2-4 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approx. 1-3 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is perfectly suited for celebratory events like New Year's Eve or weddings. It also serves as an elegant choice for brunch or as a sophisticated pre-dinner aperitif to stimulate the palate.
  • Brunch
  • Celebration
  • Aperitif
  • New Year's Eve

Pairing suggestions

Its crisp, dry profile pairs excellently with seafood, particularly briny oysters and rich smoked salmon. It also complements light, creamy cheeses and serves as a fantastic accompaniment to classic brunch dishes, cutting through their richness.
  • Oysters
  • Smoked Salmon Canapés
  • Light cheeses like goat cheese or brie
  • Brunch foods such as Eggs Benedict

Gin In The Afternoon: A Modern Toast to Hemingway

The Gin In The Afternoon is a sophisticated and minimalist sparkling cocktail that serves as a modern, gin-focused interpretation of Hemingway's classic "Death in the Afternoon." By swapping the polarizing flavor of absinthe for the familiar botanicals of gin, the drink becomes lighter and more universally approachable. It highlights the crisp notes of the gin against the dry effervescence of Champagne. This cocktail is exceptionally easy to make yet presents an impressive and elegant result, making it perfect for celebrations or as a refreshing aperitif.

Similar Cocktails

Death in the Afternoon

The original inspiration for the drink, which uses absinthe instead of gin, resulting in a strong anise and licorice flavor profile.

French 75

A classic Champagne cocktail that also uses gin, but adds lemon juice and simple syrup, making it sweeter, more sour, and more complex.

Kir Royale

Another simple two-ingredient sparkling cocktail, but it uses crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur) instead of gin for a rich, fruity flavor.

You May Also Like

New Orleans Fizz

A legendary, cloud-like, and citrusy gin cocktail from New Orleans, famous for its frothy meringue-like head that requires extensive shaking.

Greenpoint

A sophisticated rye whiskey cocktail with herbal notes from Chartreuse and the richness of sweet vermouth.

Flor de Jalisco

A vibrant, bittersweet, and citrusy tequila cocktail featuring Aperol and grapefruit liqueur.

Flatiron Martini

A bright, elegant, and citrus-forward modern classic featuring gin and yuzu liqueur.

Have You Tried These Yet?

Vermouth Cobbler

A refreshing, low-alcohol classic combining sweet vermouth with citrus and seasonal fruit over crushed ice.

Mule's Hind Leg

A complex and potent gin-based classic cocktail with herbal notes from Bénédictine and fruity sweetness from apricot liqueur.

Blue Moon Cocktail

An elegant and floral gin sour with a distinctive violet hue from crème de violette.

Roffignac Cocktail

A historic and refreshingly tart highball from New Orleans featuring cognac, raspberry syrup, and soda water.