Gunpowder Plot
The Gunpowder Plot is a modern classic that masterfully balances smoky, bitter, sweet, and sour notes. It uses a unique gin infused with gunpowder green tea, which lends an earthy, smoky character. This is complemented by the bracing herbaceous bitterness of Fernet-Branca, with Demerara syrup providing a rich sweetness and lemon juice adding the necessary bright acidity. The result is a complex, intriguing, and deeply flavorful cocktail for the adventurous palate.
Preparation
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Preparation time
Difficulty
Drink Classification
The Gunpowder Plot is classified as a modern classic cocktail. It falls into the 'sour' family of drinks due to its use of citrus juice, but its complex flavor profile also positions it as a sophisticated sipper.
Serving
This is a spirit-forward drink served cold and 'up' (without ice) in a chilled coupe glass. Its alcohol content is moderately high, typical of a classic sour-style cocktail.
Serving size
Approximately 4.5 oz / 135 ml
Alcohol content
Approximately 25-28% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled
Backstory
Created by Kirk Estopinal around 2009 at the renowned New Orleans bar Cure, the Gunpowder Plot is named for its key ingredient, gunpowder green tea. The name is a clever nod to the historical 1605 plot to blow up the English Parliament. It plays on both the "gunpowder" tea and the explosive complexity of flavors in the drink, which quickly cemented its status as a modern classic.
Origin
This cocktail originated in New Orleans, USA, around 2009. It was created by bartender Kirk Estopinal at the bar Cure.
Gunpowder Plot
The drink is consistently known by its original name, Gunpowder Plot, with no common alternative names.
Original name
Gunpowder Plot
Characteristics overview
The Gunpowder Plot presents a complex aroma of lemon and herbs, with a smoky undertone. The flavor is a bold interplay of sour citrus and intense herbal bitterness, with a smooth, crisp texture and a long, lingering finish.
Flavor
Smoky, Herbaceous, Citrusy, Bitter, Complex
Aroma
Lemon oils, Minty, Earthy, Smoky tea
Taste balance
Sour, Bitter, Sweet
Aftertaste
Long, Lingering bitterness, Herbal, Clean
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Pale yellow-green, Hazy, Golden-brown hue
Texture
Smooth, Crisp, Medium-bodied
Seasonality
Refreshing, All-season
Flavor intensity & Experience
The flavor is intense, led by a strong sour and bitter profile from the lemon and Fernet-Branca. The alcohol strength is pronounced but well-integrated, with minimal sweetness and no carbonation.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation
Ingredients
The core of this drink is a unique gunpowder tea-infused gin, balanced with fresh lemon juice, rich Demerara syrup, and the distinctive bitter amaro, Fernet-Branca.
- Gunpowder Tea-Infused Gin2 oz / 60 mlTo make, infuse 1 tbsp of gunpowder green tea per 750ml of a London Dry Gin for 2-4 hours, then strain well.
- Fresh Lemon Juice0.75 oz / 22.5 mlFreshly squeezed juice is crucial for the best flavor.
- Demerara Syrup0.5 oz / 15 mlMade with a 2:1 ratio of Demerara sugar to water for a rich texture and flavor.
- Fernet-Branca0.25 oz / 7.5 mlThis intensely bitter and minty amaro is a key flavor component and should not be substituted.
Ice type
- Cubed ice for shaking
Mixing equipments
You will need a standard cocktail shaker set, including a jigger for measuring and two types of strainers to ensure a smooth, ice-free texture in the final drink.
- Cocktail shaker for chilling and combining ingredients
- Jigger or measuring tool for accurate proportions
- Fine-mesh strainer and Hawthorne strainer for double-straining
Instructions
The process involves shaking the infused gin, lemon juice, syrup, and amaro with ice, then double-straining into a chilled coupe glass. The final touch is garnishing with an expressed lemon twist.
1. If you haven't already, prepare the Gunpowder Tea-Infused Gin by adding 1 tablespoon of gunpowder green tea to a 750ml bottle of dry gin. Let it infuse for 2-4 hours, then strain thoroughly through a coffee filter or fine-mesh sieve.
2. Chill your serving glass, preferably a coupe glass, by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer.
3. Add the gunpowder tea-infused gin, fresh lemon juice, Demerara syrup, and Fernet-Branca to a cocktail shaker.
4. Fill the shaker with cubed ice and seal it tightly.
5. Shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds until the outside of the shaker is well-chilled and frosted.
6. Discard the ice from your chilled glass. Double-strain the cocktail from the shaker into the glass.
7. Take a fresh lemon peel, express its oils over the surface of the drink by squeezing it, and then place the twist in the glass as a garnish.
Garnishing
A simple lemon twist garnish is all that's needed; expressing its oils over the drink adds a crucial aromatic dimension that brightens the cocktail.
- Lemon Twist: Express the oils over the surface of the drink before dropping it in.
Dietary Information
This cocktail is dairy-free, egg-free, and vegan, and is generally considered gluten-free as it uses distilled spirits. It contains trace amounts of caffeine from the tea infusion.
✓ Contains alcohol
✕ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly
Nutrition information
This cocktail has a moderate calorie count, primarily from the alcohol and sugar in the Demerara syrup. The carbohydrate and sugar content is relatively low compared to fruit-heavy drinks.
Calories
Averagely 200-230 kcal / 837-962 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 12-15 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 10-12 g
Sugar level
Occasions
With its complex and bold flavors, the Gunpowder Plot is best suited for sophisticated occasions, as a contemplative after-dinner drink, or for a cocktail hour for seasoned drinkers.
- Cocktail Hour
- After-Dinner Drink
- Sophisticated Gatherings
Pairing suggestions
The cocktail's bold, bitter, and smoky notes pair well with rich and savory foods. Try it with smoked charcuterie, sharp aged cheeses, or hearty appetizers that can stand up to its intense flavor profile.
- Smoked meats or fish
- Rich, savory appetizers
- Sharp cheeses
Gunpowder Plot: An Explosive Flavor Combination
The Gunpowder Plot is an inventive modern cocktail that offers a truly unique taste experience. By infusing gin with gunpowder tea, it introduces a smoky, earthy element that is brilliantly contrasted by the bright acidity of lemon and the aggressive, minty bitterness of Fernet-Branca. It's a challenging yet rewarding drink, perfect for those who appreciate complex flavors and have moved beyond basic sours. A testament to modern mixology, it's a balanced, aromatic, and memorable sipper.
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