Marine Corps Cocktail

The Marine Corps Cocktail is an elegant and complex drink for those who appreciate a gin-forward profile. It expertly combines London Dry Gin with both sweet and dry vermouth, creating a "perfect" balance of herbal and wine notes. A small amount of grenadine adds a subtle fruitiness and a beautiful rosy hue, while Angostura bitters provide aromatic depth and spice. It's a classic, stirred cocktail that offers a smooth, refined sipping experience.
Marine Corps Cocktail

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Marine Corps Cocktail is a classic cocktail from the pre-Prohibition era. It falls into the category of spirit-forward, stirred drinks, similar in style to a Martinez or a Perfect Martini.

Serving

This is a spirit-forward, moderate-sized drink served "up" (without ice) in a chilled coupe or cocktail glass. Its alcohol content is significant, making it a proper cocktail meant for sipping.
Serving size
Approximately 105 ml / 3.5 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 28-30% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

The Marine Corps Cocktail first appeared in the 1934 edition of William Boothby's "World Drinks and How to Mix Them." It is considered a sibling cocktail to the Army & Navy Cocktail. While the Army & Navy is a gin sour with orgeat, the Marine Corps Cocktail takes a different approach, being a gin-based variation of a Perfect Martinez, created to honor the United States Marine Corps.
Origin
The recipe was published in the United States in 1934. Its exact creator is unknown, but it belongs to the family of early 20th-century American cocktails named after branches of the armed forces.

Marine Corps Cocktail

The Marine Corps Cocktail is almost exclusively known by its full name, though it is sometimes shortened colloquially to Marine Cocktail. It is a distinct recipe and should not be confused with other military-themed drinks like the Army & Navy.
Original name
Marine Corps Cocktail
Alternative name
Marine Cocktail

Characteristics overview

This drink presents a gin-forward aroma with herbal undertones, leading to a smooth, silky texture on the palate. The flavor is a complex balance of botanicals, vermouth's wine notes, and a hint of sweet spice, resulting in a clean, lingering finish.
Flavor
Herbal, Juniper, Botanical, Slightly Sweet, Spicy, Vinous
Aroma
Aromatic, Gin-forward, Herbal, Subtle Spice, Hint of Citrus
Taste balance
Spirit-forward, Balanced
Aftertaste
Clean, Lingering, Herbal, Warming
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Deep Pinkish-Amber, Rosy, Clear
Texture
Silky, Smooth, Medium-bodied
Seasonality
Year-round, Classic

Flavor intensity & Experience

The Marine Corps Cocktail is a spirit-forward drink with moderate intensity, balancing gin's botanicals with vermouth's herbal bitterness and a slight sweetness from grenadine. It is completely still and has no creamy or salty elements.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires five key ingredients: a London Dry Gin base, equal parts sweet and dry vermouth, a dash of grenadine, and Angostura bitters.
  • London Dry Gin60 ml / 2 oz
    A classic, juniper-forward London Dry Gin works best to stand up to the vermouths.
  • Sweet Vermouth15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Choose a quality Italian-style sweet vermouth.
  • Dry Vermouth15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Choose a quality French-style dry vermouth.
  • Grenadine5 ml / 1 tsp
    Use a high-quality grenadine made from real pomegranate for best flavor and color.
  • Angostura Aromatic Bitters2 dashes
    Essential for adding aromatic complexity and spice notes.

Ice type

  • Cubed ice for stirring

Mixing equipments

You will need standard bar tools for a stirred cocktail: a mixing glass, a bar spoon for stirring, a jigger for measuring, and a strainer to pour the drink.
  • Mixing glass
  • Bar spoon
  • Jigger or measuring tool
  • Strainer (Julep or Hawthorne)

Instructions

The process involves chilling a coupe glass, combining all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, and stirring until cold. The mixture is then strained into the prepared glass and garnished with a lemon twist.
1. Chill your coupe or cocktail glass by filling it with ice and water, or by placing it in the freezer for a few minutes.
2. Combine the gin, sweet vermouth, dry vermouth, grenadine, and Angostura bitters in a mixing glass.
3. Fill the mixing glass two-thirds full with cubed ice and stir with a bar spoon for about 20-30 seconds until well-chilled and properly diluted.
4. Discard the ice from your chilled serving glass. Strain the cocktail from the mixing glass into the chilled coupe.
5. Take a fresh lemon peel, twist it over the drink's surface to express its oils, and then drop it into the glass as a garnish.

Garnishing

A simple lemon twist is the classic garnish. Expressing the citrus oils over the surface of the drink adds a bright, aromatic dimension that complements the botanicals.
  • Lemon twist, express oils over the drink and drop in or place on the rim.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is generally free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, and gluten. It is suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets, provided the grenadine used does not contain cochineal.
✓ 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. The carbohydrate and sugar content is relatively low, coming from the vermouth and grenadine.
Calories
Averagely 185 kcal / 774 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 6 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 5 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This is an excellent choice for an aperitif to stimulate the appetite before a meal. It's perfectly suited for a sophisticated cocktail hour or any occasion that calls for a classic, spirit-forward sipper.
  • Aperitif
  • Cocktail Hour
  • Classic Drink Night
  • Formal Gatherings

Pairing suggestions

The cocktail's complex, herbal, and spirit-forward nature pairs well with savory and salty appetizers. Think of classic cocktail hour snacks like olives, cured meats, firm cheeses, and salted nuts, which complement its profile without overwhelming it.
  • Marinated Olives
  • Charcuterie Board
  • Hard Cheeses like Parmesan or Aged Gouda
  • Salted Nuts

Marine Corps Cocktail: A Toast to Tradition

The Marine Corps Cocktail is a hidden gem from the classic cocktail era, offering a sophisticated alternative to a Martini or Manhattan. Its "perfect" use of both sweet and dry vermouth creates a beautiful foundation for a quality gin. The subtle additions of grenadine and bitters elevate it from a simple mix to a complex, aromatic, and deeply satisfying sipper. It's a tribute in a glass, perfect for those who enjoy exploring the rich history of cocktails.

Similar Cocktails

Martinez

Often considered a precursor to the Martini, the Martinez typically uses Old Tom Gin, sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and bitters. It's sweeter and has a different complexity.

Perfect Martini

A Perfect Martini also uses equal parts sweet and dry vermouth, but typically omits the grenadine and Angostura bitters, and often includes orange bitters instead.

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