King Cole Cocktail

The King Cole Cocktail is a lesser-known classic that offers a unique and complex flavor profile. It expertly balances the slight sweetness of Old Tom Gin with the intensely bitter, minty, and herbal notes of Fernet-Branca. Fresh orange juice ties everything together, adding a bright, citrusy dimension that makes the drink surprisingly refreshing and approachable despite its potent ingredients.
King Cole Cocktail

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The King Cole Cocktail is classified as a classic, pre-prohibition cocktail. It falls into the sour category due to its use of citrus juice to balance the spirits and sweeteners.

Serving

The King Cole Cocktail is a spirit-forward drink served cold and "up" (without ice) in a chilled coupe or cocktail glass. It has a moderate alcohol content, making for a pleasant, civilized sipper.
Serving size
Approximately 120 ml / 4 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 20-25% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled glass

Backstory

The cocktail was created in the early 20th century at the King Cole Bar in the St. Regis Hotel in New York City. The bar is famous for its Maxfield Parrish mural, "Old King Cole," which gives the drink its name. It's a sophisticated sipper that reflects the elegant history of its birthplace.
Origin
United States, New York City, circa early 1900s.

King Cole Cocktail

The drink is primarily known as the King Cole Cocktail, named after the famous Maxfield Parrish mural in the New York bar where it was created. It is sometimes shortened to just "King Cole" for simplicity.
Original name
King Cole Cocktail
Alternative name
King Cole

Characteristics overview

This cocktail presents a complex interplay of bitter herbal notes from the Fernet-Branca and bright citrus aroma from the orange. The taste is a balanced dance between bitter, sour, and a touch of sweetness, finishing with a long, cooling herbal aftertaste.
Flavor
Herbal, bitter, citrusy, complex, slightly sweet, licorice, minty
Aroma
Orange zest, juniper, mint, medicinal herbs
Taste balance
Bitter, sour, sweet
Aftertaste
Long, bitter, herbal, cooling
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Amber, brownish-orange, slightly cloudy
Texture
Smooth, crisp
Seasonality
Refreshing, year-round

Flavor intensity & Experience

A balanced yet assertive drink where the bitter and sour notes are prominent, supported by a gentle sweetness and fruity character. The alcohol presence is moderate but well-integrated.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

The recipe requires four key ingredients: a slightly sweeter Old Tom Gin, the intensely bitter amaro Fernet-Branca, fresh orange juice, and a touch of simple syrup to balance.
  • Old Tom Gin45 ml / 1.5 oz
    A slightly sweeter style of gin that works best to balance the bitter amaro. London Dry can be substituted, but may require more simple syrup.
  • Fernet-Branca15 ml / 0.5 oz
    A highly bitter, minty, and herbal Italian amaro. It is the signature flavor of the drink and should not be substituted.
  • Fresh Orange Juice15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Freshly squeezed juice is essential for the best flavor and balance.
  • Simple Syrup7.5 ml / 0.25 oz
    A 1:1 ratio of sugar to water. Adjust amount to taste, based on the sweetness of your gin and orange juice.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a standard cocktail shaker set, including a jigger for accurate measurements and both a Hawthorne and a fine-mesh strainer for a clean, pulp-free pour.
  • Cocktail shaker for chilling and mixing
  • Jigger for measuring ingredients
  • Hawthorne strainer for straining from the shaker
  • Fine mesh strainer for double-straining

Instructions

The method is straightforward: chill your glass, combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake until very cold, and double-strain into the prepared glass before garnishing.
1. Chill a coupe or cocktail glass in the freezer or by filling it with ice water.
2. Add Old Tom Gin, Fernet-Branca, fresh orange juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker three-quarters full with cubed ice.
4. Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds until the outside is frosted and well-chilled.
5. Empty the ice from your chilled serving glass.
6. Double-strain the contents of the shaker into the chilled glass to remove ice shards and citrus pulp.
7. Take a fresh orange peel, hold it over the drink's surface, and squeeze it to express the aromatic oils.
8. Drop the orange peel into the glass as a garnish and serve immediately.

Garnishing

Garnish with a fresh orange peel, expressing the oils over the drink's surface before dropping it in to enhance the citrus aroma.
  • Orange peel expressed over the drink and used as a garnish

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, and gluten (most distilled spirits are considered gluten-free). It 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 cocktail, with its sweetness derived mainly from the gin, juice, and a small amount of syrup. The carbohydrate and sugar content are moderate.
Calories
Approximately 150-170 kcal / 628-711 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 8-10 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 7-9 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This drink works wonderfully as an aperitif before a meal or as a unique choice for a cocktail party. Its complex, bitter-sweet profile also makes it a fine digestif or after-dinner drink for the adventurous palate.
  • Aperitif
  • Cocktail Party
  • Digestif
  • Sophisticated Gathering

Pairing suggestions

The King Cole's bitter and citrus notes cut through richness and pair well with salty and fatty foods. Consider serving it with a charcuterie board featuring cured meats, rich cheeses, or a simple bowl of high-quality olives or roasted nuts.
  • Salty nuts
  • Olives
  • Cured meats like prosciutto or salami
  • Rich, hard cheeses like Parmesan

The King Cole Cocktail: A Regal Sip of New York History

The King Cole Cocktail is a hidden gem from New York's sophisticated early 20th-century cocktail scene. It offers a bold, complex flavor profile that stands out from more common classics, making it an excellent choice for those looking to explore beyond the usual. The unique combination of Old Tom Gin and Fernet-Branca creates a memorable drinking experience, masterfully balancing bitter, sweet, and sour notes in a surprisingly refreshing way. This drink is a testament to the timeless appeal of well-crafted, spirit-forward cocktails.

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