Holland House Cocktail
The Holland House Cocktail is a sophisticated and elegant drink from the early 20th century. It masterfully balances the botanical notes of genever or gin with the herbaceous quality of dry vermouth. A touch of maraschino liqueur adds a subtle funky sweetness and complexity, while fresh lemon juice provides a bright, acidic finish. It's a forgotten classic that offers a dry, complex, and refreshing experience for those who appreciate gin-based sours.
Preparation
Preparation time: 3 minutes
Preparation time
Difficulty
Drink Classification
The Holland House is a classic cocktail, categorized as a pre-Prohibition era sour. It belongs to the family of gin-based drinks that balance spirit, citrus, and a modifying liqueur. Its historical significance places it firmly in the classic cocktail canon.
Serving
This cocktail is served "straight up" (without ice) in a pre-chilled coupe or cocktail glass. It has a moderate alcohol strength and is best enjoyed cold.
Serving size
Approximately 100 ml / 3.5 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 25-30% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled
Backstory
The drink is named after the Holland House hotel, a grand hotel that once stood on Fifth Avenue in New York City. It first appeared in print in Harry Craddock's 1930 "The Savoy Cocktail Book". The hotel was a symbol of Gilded Age luxury before it was demolished in 1927, and this cocktail serves as a liquid tribute to that bygone era.
Origin
New York City, USA. The recipe was published in 1930, but the drink likely originated in the pre-Prohibition era of the 1910s at the Holland House hotel.
Holland House Cocktail
The drink is primarily known as the Holland House Cocktail, sometimes shortened to simply Holland House. There are no other widely recognized alternative names for this classic recipe.
Original name
Holland House Cocktail
Alternative name
Holland House
Characteristics overview
This drink presents a fragrant aroma of botanicals and lemon, leading to a tart, dry flavor with herbal undertones. It has a smooth, silky texture and a clean, crisp finish, making it a refreshing choice year-round.
Flavor
Botanical, Juniper, Herbal, Tart, Citrusy, Subtle cherry funk
Aroma
Aromatic, Gin botanicals, Lemon zest, Hint of maraschino
Taste balance
Sour, Slightly sweet, Dry
Aftertaste
Clean, Crisp, Lingering botanicals
Fizziness
Still, None
Color appearance
Pale yellow, Hazy
Texture
Smooth, Silky
Seasonality
Refreshing, All-season
Flavor intensity & Experience
The Holland House is primarily a sour cocktail with a noticeable alcohol presence and botanical complexity. Its sweetness and bitterness are low, creating a well-balanced, spirit-forward but refreshing experience.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation
Ingredients
This four-ingredient cocktail requires a base of Genever or Gin, balanced by Dry Vermouth, Maraschino Liqueur, and fresh lemon juice. Using high-quality, fresh ingredients is key to achieving its signature crisp taste.
- Genever or London Dry Gin60 ml / 2 ozGenever provides a traditional, malty character. London Dry Gin will make the drink more juniper-forward and crisp.
- Dry Vermouth15 ml / 0.5 ozChoose a quality, fresh bottle of dry vermouth.
- Maraschino Liqueur15 ml / 0.5 ozProvides a unique funky sweetness and complexity. Luxardo is a classic choice.
- Fresh Lemon Juice15 ml / 0.5 ozMust be freshly squeezed for the best taste.
Ice type
- Cubed
Mixing equipments
You will need standard bar tools for a shaken cocktail: a shaker, a jigger for measuring, and both a Hawthorne and a fine-mesh strainer for a smooth, ice-free result.
- Cocktail shaker for chilling and diluting
- Jigger for accurate measurement
- Hawthorne strainer for primary straining
- Fine-mesh strainer for double straining
Instructions
This drink is prepared by shaking all ingredients with ice, then double straining into a chilled coupe glass. The final touch is a lemon twist garnish expressed over the top.
1. Prepare your glassware by placing a coupe or cocktail glass in the freezer to chill.
2. Measure and pour the genever (or gin), dry vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and fresh lemon juice into a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker two-thirds full with cubed ice.
4. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker is frosty.
5. Double strain the contents of the shaker through a Hawthorne strainer and a fine-mesh strainer into your chilled glass.
6. Take a fresh lemon peel, express the oils over the surface of the drink by squeezing it, and then drop the twist into the glass as garnish.
Garnishing
The garnish is a simple but essential lemon twist. Expressing the oils from the peel over the glass adds a vibrant citrus aroma that enhances the first sip.
- Lemon twist expressed over the drink and dropped in
Dietary Information
This cocktail is suitable for a wide range of dietary preferences, being vegan, vegetarian, and free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, soy, and nuts. Distilled spirits are generally considered gluten-free.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly
Nutrition information
The Holland House Cocktail has a moderate calorie count for a spirit-forward drink. Its carbohydrate and sugar content is relatively low, coming almost entirely from the maraschino liqueur.
Calories
Averagely 190 kcal / 795 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 8g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 7g
Sugar level
Occasions
Its dry and refreshing character makes the Holland House an excellent pre-dinner drink (aperitif). It is also a sophisticated and interesting choice for cocktail parties or any gathering where classic recipes are appreciated.
- Aperitif
- Cocktail Party
- Sophisticated Gathering
- Historical Drink Night
Pairing suggestions
This cocktail's dry, herbal, and citrus notes pair wonderfully with briny foods like oysters, as well as salty snacks like olives and charcuterie. It serves as an excellent palate cleanser alongside light appetizers before a meal.
- Oysters on the half shell
- Light appetizers
- Charcuterie boards
- Marinated olives
Holland House Cocktail: A Taste of Gilded Age New York
The Holland House Cocktail is a forgotten gem from the pre-Prohibition era, offering a crisp and complex flavor profile. It elegantly combines the malty, botanical notes of genever with dry vermouth, a hint of maraschino's unique sweetness, and the bright acidity of lemon. This shaken, gin-sour-style drink is perfect for those who enjoy classic cocktails like the Aviation or Martinez but are looking for something new to discover. It's a sophisticated aperitif that pays homage to the glamour of old New York.
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