Paddington

The Paddington is a delightful modern cocktail that combines white rum with the floral notes of Lillet Blanc and the bright acidity of fresh grapefruit juice. Its defining characteristic is the use of orange marmalade, which adds sweetness, a slight bitterness, and a wonderful texture. Shaken and served up, it's an elegant, balanced, and memorable drink perfect for those who enjoy a complex citrus profile.
Paddington

Preparation

Preparation time: 4 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Paddington is a modern classic cocktail, often categorized as a sour due to its balance of spirit, citrus, and a sweetening agent. Its unique use of marmalade sets it apart within contemporary mixology.

Serving

This cocktail is served cold and straight up in a chilled coupe or cocktail glass. It is a moderately strong drink with a refreshing character.
Serving size
Approximately 120-150 ml / 4-5 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 18-22% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

The Paddington was created by bartender Jim Meehan at the legendary New York City speakeasy, PDT (Please Don't Tell). The cocktail is a clever tribute to Paddington Bear, the beloved character from English children's literature known for his adoration of marmalade sandwiches. This drink cleverly incorporates that key ingredient into a sophisticated and delicious libation.
Origin
Created by Jim Meehan at PDT in New York City, USA, around 2007.

Paddington

The drink is consistently known as the Paddington, occasionally referred to as the Paddington Cocktail. It is named after the famous children's book character, Paddington Bear, who famously loves orange marmalade.
Original name
Paddington
Alternative name
Paddington Cocktail

Characteristics overview

The Paddington has a bright, citrus-forward flavor profile dominated by orange and grapefruit, with a smooth texture from the marmalade. Its aroma is fruity and floral, leading to a clean, zesty aftertaste.
Flavor
Citrusy, bittersweet, fruity, slightly floral, orange zest
Aroma
Orange, grapefruit, white wine, sugarcane
Taste balance
Balanced, sweet, sour, slightly bitter
Aftertaste
Clean, zesty, lingering orange bitterness
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Pale orange, hazy, golden hue
Texture
Smooth, slightly viscous from marmalade
Seasonality
Refreshing, summery, suitable year-round

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is moderately intense, characterized by a vibrant fruitiness and a balanced interplay of sweet, sour, and bitter notes. The alcohol presence is gentle, making it a very approachable cocktail.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

The drink is built on a base of white rum, complemented by Lillet Blanc, fresh grapefruit juice, and a distinctive bar spoon of orange marmalade. An optional absinthe rinse adds an aromatic dimension.
  • White Rum45 ml / 1.5 oz
    A clean, light white rum like Banks 5 Island or Plantation 3 Stars works well.
  • Lillet Blanc22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    An essential aromatized wine that adds floral and fruity notes.
  • Fresh Grapefruit Juice22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Freshly squeezed is crucial for brightness.
  • Orange Marmalade1 bar spoon
    A good quality English-style marmalade with bitter orange peel is preferred.
  • Absinthe1 dash / rinse(optional)
    Used for rinsing the glass to add aromatic complexity. Can be omitted.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a standard cocktail shaking set, including a shaker, jigger, and Hawthorne strainer. A fine mesh strainer is also essential to ensure a smooth texture free of marmalade bits.
  • Cocktail shaker for shaking and chilling
  • Jigger or measuring tool for accurate pouring
  • Hawthorne strainer for straining from the shaker
  • Fine mesh strainer for removing small particles

Instructions

The method involves shaking all ingredients with ice to chill, dilute, and incorporate the marmalade. It is then double-strained into a chilled, absinthe-rinsed glass for a smooth finish.
1. If using, rinse a chilled coupe glass with absinthe, swirling to coat the inside, and discard the excess.
2. Add the white rum, Lillet Blanc, fresh grapefruit juice, and orange marmalade to a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with cubed ice.
4. Shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds until the shaker is well-chilled.
5. Double strain the mixture through a Hawthorne strainer and a fine mesh strainer into the prepared coupe glass.
6. Express the oils from a grapefruit twist over the surface of the drink and drop it in as a garnish.

Garnishing

The drink is garnished with a grapefruit twist, which should be expressed over the surface to release its aromatic oils before being placed in the glass.
  • Grapefruit twist, expressed over the drink and dropped in

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally dairy-free, egg-free, and nut-free. It is suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets and is typically gluten-free.
✓ 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 and sugar content, primarily derived from the Lillet Blanc, juice, and marmalade. It is not considered a low-calorie or low-sugar drink.
Calories
Approximately 170-190 kcal / 711-795 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 12-15 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 10-13 g
Sugar level

Occasions

Its bright and citrusy profile makes the Paddington an excellent choice for brunch or as a refreshing aperitif before a meal. It's also a sophisticated offering for cocktail parties, especially during warmer months.
  • Brunch
  • Cocktail Party
  • Aperitif
  • Summer Drink

Pairing suggestions

The Paddington's bright, citrusy profile pairs well with brunch foods like pastries and eggs benedict. It also complements light seafood appetizers or simple salty snacks that can cut through its sweetness and acidity.
  • Light pastries or scones
  • Seafood appetizers like shrimp cocktail
  • Salty snacks
  • Brunch dishes like eggs benedict

The Paddington: A Marmalade Masterpiece

The Paddington is a sophisticated modern classic from New York's famed PDT bar. It's a rum-based sour, uniquely flavored with orange marmalade, which provides sweetness, texture, and a pleasant bitterness. Balanced by floral Lillet Blanc and tart grapefruit juice, this cocktail is both refreshing and complex. It's an inventive and delicious tribute to the marmalade-loving bear it's named after.

Similar Cocktails

Breakfast Martini

A similar cocktail that also uses marmalade. It's made with gin, Cointreau, lemon juice, and orange marmalade.

White Lady

A classic gin sour that shares a similar structure but uses Cointreau and lemon juice instead of Lillet, grapefruit, and marmalade.

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