Pan-American Clipper

The Pan-American Clipper is a forgotten classic from the golden age of travel. It's a spirit-forward yet refreshing sour cocktail built on a base of Calvados or applejack. The apple brandy provides a warm, fruity backbone, which is brightened by fresh lime juice. A dash of grenadine adds a touch of sweetness and color, while a hint of absinthe imparts a complex, herbaceous anise note that elevates the entire drink.
Pan-American Clipper

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Pan-American Clipper is classified as a classic cocktail. It belongs to the sour family of drinks, balancing a spirit base with citrus and a sweetener. It's a sophisticated, pre-Prohibition style cocktail that highlights its base spirit.

Serving

Served 'up' in a chilled coupe or cocktail glass, this is a cold, spirit-forward drink with a significant alcohol content. Proper chilling of the glass is key to the experience.
Serving size
Approximately 100-120 ml / 3.5-4 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 25-30% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

This cocktail was created by the famed cocktail writer and adventurer Charles H. Baker, Jr. and was first published in his 1939 book, "The Gentleman's Companion: Being an Exotic Drinking Book". He discovered the recipe in Havana, Cuba, and named it in honor of the luxurious Pan-American Clipper flying boats that symbolized the glamour of international travel in that era. The drink captures the spirit of adventure and exotic destinations.
Origin
Cuba, circa 1930s. The recipe was documented by American author Charles H. Baker, Jr. in 1939.

Pan-American Clipper

The drink is almost exclusively known by its full name, the Pan-American Clipper. Occasionally, it might be shortened to Pan Am Clipper for brevity. There are no other widely recognized alternative names for this classic cocktail.
Original name
Pan-American Clipper
Alternative name
Pan Am Clipper

Characteristics overview

This cocktail presents a delightful balance of tart and sweet, with a prominent apple flavor and a complex anise aroma. It has a smooth, non-carbonated texture and a beautiful rosy hue, making it a refreshing choice any time of year.
Flavor
Apple, tart, lime, fruity, pomegranate, hint of anise, herbal
Aroma
Apple brandy, fresh lime, subtle anise, sweet spice
Taste balance
Sour, sweet
Aftertaste
Clean, lingering apple, faint herbal notes
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Rosy pink, blush, clear
Texture
Smooth, crisp, silky
Seasonality
Refreshing, year-round

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor profile is dominated by sour and fruity notes, with a noticeable alcohol presence. It is not sweet, bitter, or creamy, and has a touch of herbal spice from the absinthe.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires a base of apple brandy (Calvados or Applejack), fresh lime juice, grenadine for sweetness, and a couple of dashes of absinthe for complexity. High-quality ingredients are key to a well-balanced result.
  • Calvados60 ml / 2 oz
    Calvados is the traditional French apple brandy; American Applejack is a suitable substitute.
  • Fresh Lime Juice22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Must be freshly squeezed for best results.
  • Grenadine7.5 ml / 0.25 oz
    Using a high-quality, real pomegranate grenadine is highly recommended over artificially flavored versions.
  • Absinthe2 dashes (approx. 2 ml / 0.07 oz)
    A small amount is crucial for the drink's complexity. A pastis like Pernod can be used as a substitute.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a standard cocktail shaking set, including a shaker, a Hawthorne strainer, and a fine-mesh strainer. A jigger is essential for measuring the ingredients accurately.
  • Cocktail shaker for chilling and diluting ingredients
  • Strainer (Hawthorne and fine-mesh) for a smooth pour
  • Jigger or measuring tool for accurate proportions

Instructions

The method is straightforward: chill a coupe glass, combine all ingredients in an ice-filled shaker, and shake well. Double-strain the mixture into the prepared glass and serve.
1. Chill your coupe or cocktail glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer.
2. Add the Calvados, fresh lime juice, grenadine, and absinthe to a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with cubed ice.
4. Shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds until the outside of the shaker is well-chilled.
5. Discard the ice from your chilled glass.
6. Double-strain the contents of the shaker into the chilled glass to remove any ice shards.
7. Serve immediately, ungarnished.

Garnishing

The Pan-American Clipper is traditionally served without a garnish to showcase its color and simplicity. If desired, a lime twist can be expressed over the drink for added aroma.
  • None (Traditionally)
  • Lime twist (Optional)

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally alcoholic, caffeine-free, dairy-free, and egg-free. It is generally considered vegan and gluten-free, provided the specific brands of spirits and grenadine used meet those standards.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail contains approximately 190-220 calories per serving, with most of the carbohydrates and sugar coming from the grenadine and a small amount from the lime juice.
Calories
Averagely 190-220 kcal / 795-920 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 8-10 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 6-8 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This drink is perfect as an aperitif before a fine meal or as a featured cocktail at a sophisticated party. Its classic nature makes it suitable for celebrations or any occasion calling for an elegant, well-balanced drink.
  • Cocktail Party
  • Pre-dinner Drink
  • Sophisticated Gathering
  • Celebration

Pairing suggestions

The drink's apple and tart profile pairs well with rich, fatty foods like roasted pork or duck. It also complements the sharpness of aged cheeses and the saltiness of bar snacks like olives or toasted nuts.
  • Roast pork or duck
  • Sharp cheeses like cheddar or gruyère
  • Salty nuts or olives
  • Apple-based desserts

Pan-American Clipper: A Taste of Aviation's Golden Age

The Pan-American Clipper is a truly underrated classic cocktail that deserves a place in any home bartender's repertoire. It's a sophisticated sour that beautifully showcases the fruity depth of apple brandy, brightened by lime and given an exotic twist with absinthe. Easy to make yet complex in flavor, it evokes a bygone era of glamorous travel. This drink is a perfect example of how a few well-chosen ingredients can create a perfectly balanced and memorable experience.

Similar cocktails

Jack Rose

A very similar cocktail, but it omits the absinthe, resulting in a simpler, more direct apple-and-lime flavor profile.

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