Lucien Gaudin

The Lucien Gaudin is a complex and elegant aperitif that expertly balances the botanical notes of gin with the bitter orange of Campari, the sweetness of Cointreau, and the herbal character of dry vermouth. It is a crisp, aromatic, and beautifully balanced cocktail that is less sweet and more gin-forward than its cousin, the Negroni. Its vibrant color and refined taste make it a perfect pre-dinner drink for those who appreciate a bittersweet flavor profile.
Lucien Gaudin

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Lucien Gaudin is classified as a classic cocktail from the early 20th century. Due to its bittersweet flavor profile designed to stimulate the appetite, it is also perfectly categorized as an aperitif, ideal for serving before a meal.

Serving

This is a spirit-forward drink served cold and straight up in a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass. It has a notable alcohol content, typical of a classic aperitif cocktail.
Serving size
Approx. 75 ml (2.5 oz) before dilution
Alcohol content
Approx. 28-32% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

The cocktail is named after Lucien Gaudin, a famous French fencer and multiple Olympic champion in the 1920s. The drink itself likely emerged around the same time, reflecting the classic European aperitif style. Gaudin's precision and elegance in fencing are said to be mirrored in the cocktail's balanced and sharp flavor profile.
Origin
France, circa 1920s.

Lucien Gaudin

The drink is named directly after the person it honors, Lucien Gaudin, and does not have any widely recognized alternative names or aliases. It is sometimes described by its components, but these are not official names.
Original name
Lucien Gaudin

Characteristics overview

This is a smooth, spirit-forward cocktail with a delightful bittersweet balance, featuring aromas of juniper and citrus. It has a clean, lingering aftertaste and a beautiful deep orange hue.
Flavor
Bittersweet, Citrus, Herbal, Botanical, Crisp
Aroma
Juniper, Orange peel, Aromatic, Herbal
Taste balance
Bitter, Sweet
Aftertaste
Long, Bittersweet, Clean, Citrusy
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Deep orange, Reddish-pink, Clear
Texture
Smooth, Silky
Seasonality
Refreshing, Year-round

Flavor intensity & Experience

The drink is defined by a strong bitter-sweet balance, with prominent orange fruitiness and a potent alcoholic character. It is a completely still, non-carbonated cocktail.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

The Lucien Gaudin requires four key spirits: gin as the base, complemented by Campari, Cointreau, and dry vermouth. All ingredients are essential for its signature bittersweet and aromatic flavor.
  • London Dry Gin30 ml / 1 oz
    A classic London Dry style works best to cut through the other ingredients.
  • Campari15 ml / 0.5 oz
    The key bitter component of the drink.
  • Cointreau15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Provides citrus sweetness and complexity. Other triple secs can be used in a pinch.
  • Dry Vermouth15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Use a fresh, good quality dry vermouth as it can oxidize quickly.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a standard stirring set to make this cocktail: a mixing glass to combine the ingredients with ice, a jigger for precise measurements, a bar spoon for stirring, and a strainer.
  • Mixing glass for combining and chilling ingredients
  • Bar spoon for stirring
  • Jigger for measuring
  • Strainer (Hawthorne or Julep) for pouring

Instructions

This cocktail is built by stirring all liquid ingredients with ice in a mixing glass until thoroughly chilled. It is then strained into a chilled coupe glass and garnished with an expressed orange peel.
1. Chill your coupe or Nick & Nora glass by placing it in the freezer or filling it with ice water.
2. Add the gin, Campari, Cointreau, and dry vermouth to a mixing glass.
3. Fill the mixing glass two-thirds full with cubed ice.
4. Stir with a bar spoon for approximately 20-30 seconds until the outside of the glass is frosty and the drink is well-chilled.
5. If you used ice water, discard it from your serving glass.
6. Strain the contents of the mixing glass into the chilled serving glass.
7. Take a fresh orange peel, hold it over the drink with the colored side down, and pinch it to express the citrus oils onto the surface.
8. Drop the peel into the glass as a garnish and serve immediately.

Garnishing

A simple but essential orange peel is used to garnish. Its expressed oils add a bright citrus aroma that complements the cocktail's flavors perfectly.
  • Orange peel, to be expressed over the drink and used as a garnish.

Dietary Information

This alcoholic drink is free of common allergens like caffeine, dairy, eggs, soy, nuts, and gluten. However, it is not considered vegan or vegetarian because Campari contains carmine coloring, which is derived from insects.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✕ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a moderately caloric drink at around 170 kcal per serving. Its carbohydrate and sugar content is relatively low, typically around 8 to 10 grams, coming from the liqueurs and vermouth.
Calories
Approximately 160-180 kcal / 670-750 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 8-10 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 8-10 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is ideal for sophisticated settings, serving as a perfect pre-dinner aperitif to stimulate the palate. It excels at cocktail parties or any gathering where a classic, spirit-forward drink is appreciated.
  • Aperitif hour
  • Cocktail party
  • Pre-dinner drink
  • Sophisticated gathering

Pairing suggestions

As a classic aperitif, the Lucien Gaudin pairs wonderfully with savory and salty appetizers that can stand up to its bittersweet profile. Consider serving it with a board of charcuterie, aged cheeses, marinated olives, or simple salted nuts.
  • Salty snacks
  • Marinated olives
  • Charcuterie boards
  • Aged hard cheeses like Parmesan

The Lucien Gaudin: An Fencer's Finesse in a Glass

The Lucien Gaudin is a refined and aromatic gin-based aperitif, often seen as a sophisticated cousin to the Negroni. It masterfully combines gin, Campari, Cointreau, and dry vermouth to create a complex, bittersweet flavor profile with bright citrus notes. Named after a legendary French fencer, the drink mirrors his elegance and precision in its balanced construction. Served straight up in a chilled coupe with an orange twist, it is a fantastic choice for any cocktail enthusiast looking for a crisp and classic pre-dinner drink.

Similar Cocktails

White Negroni

Uses gin, Suze (a gentian liqueur), and Lillet Blanc. It offers a more floral and earthy bitterness compared to the Lucien Gaudin's citrus-bitter profile.

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