Pegu Club

The Pegu Club is a sophisticated and refreshing gin-based cocktail from the early 20th century. It features a sharp, citrus-forward profile from the lime juice, which is beautifully balanced by the sweetness of orange curaçao. The addition of both Angostura and orange bitters adds a layer of aromatic spice and complexity, making it a truly memorable and well-rounded drink. It is a quintessential example of the sour cocktail category, showcasing gin in a bright and flavorful way.
Pegu Club

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Pegu Club is a classic cocktail, firmly placed in the 'sour' family of drinks. It is often enjoyed as an aperitif due to its crisp and palate-whetting character. Its origins in the 1920s secure its status as a historic, classic cocktail.

Serving

This is a moderately strong cocktail served 'up' (without ice) in a chilled coupe or cocktail glass. It is a relatively small drink, designed to be sipped while cold.
Serving size
Approximately 90-120 ml / 3-4 oz
Alcohol content
25-30% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

The cocktail was the signature drink of the Pegu Club in Rangoon, Burma (now Yangon, Myanmar), a gentleman's club for British officers and civil servants in the 1920s. It was designed to be a refreshing antidote to the tropical heat and humidity. The recipe was first recorded in Harry MacElhone's "Barflies and Cocktails" in 1927, cementing its place in cocktail history.
Origin
The Pegu Club cocktail originated at the Pegu Club in Rangoon, Burma (now Yangon, Myanmar), during the 1920s, a period of British colonial rule.

Pegu Club

The drink's formal name is the Pegu Club Cocktail, named after its place of origin. However, it is almost universally shortened to just Pegu Club or sometimes simply Pegu by enthusiasts. There are no other widely recognized alternative names.
Original name
Pegu Club Cocktail
Alternative name
Pegu

Characteristics overview

The Pegu Club offers a complex, aromatic flavor profile dominated by tart lime and sweet orange, with a clean, spicy aftertaste. Its smooth texture and hazy, pale yellow appearance make it an elegant and refreshing choice for any season.
Flavor
Tart, Citrusy, Aromatic, Complex, Herbal, Spicy
Aroma
Lime, Orange, Botanical gin, Spices
Taste balance
Sour, Sweet, Bitter
Aftertaste
Clean, Crisp, Lingering spice
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Pale yellow, Hazy, Translucent
Texture
Smooth, Silky
Seasonality
Refreshing, All-season, Summery

Flavor intensity & Experience

This is a sour-dominant cocktail with moderate sweetness and a noticeable bitterness from the bitters, creating a complex and intense flavor profile. The alcohol strength is present but well-integrated.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires five key ingredients: a gin base, orange curaçao for sweetness, fresh lime juice for sourness, and two types of bitters for aromatic complexity.
  • London Dry Gin50 ml / 1.75 oz
    A classic, juniper-forward London Dry Gin works best.
  • Orange Curaçao20 ml / 0.75 oz
    Can be substituted with other high-quality orange liqueurs like Cointreau or Grand Marnier, though Curaçao is traditional.
  • Fresh Lime Juice20 ml / 0.75 oz
    Freshly squeezed juice is essential for the best flavor.
  • Angostura Bitters1 dash
    A key component for the drink's spicy, aromatic complexity.
  • Orange Bitters1 dash
    Complements the curaçao and adds another layer of citrus aroma.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a cocktail shaker to chill and combine the ingredients, a jigger for accurate measurements, and a strainer to pour the drink smoothly. A fine-mesh strainer is recommended to remove small ice chips.
  • Cocktail shaker for mixing and chilling.
  • Jigger for measuring ingredients.
  • Hawthorne and fine-mesh strainers for a smooth pour.

Instructions

The Pegu Club is a shaken cocktail; combine all ingredients in an ice-filled shaker, shake until chilled, and double-strain into a pre-chilled coupe glass. Garnish simply with lime to finish.
1. Chill your coupe or cocktail glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer.
2. Add the gin, orange curaçao, fresh lime juice, Angostura bitters, and orange bitters to a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with cubed ice.
4. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for about 12-15 seconds until the shaker is well-chilled.
5. Discard the ice from your glass, then double-strain the cocktail into the chilled glass to remove any ice shards.
6. Garnish with a lime wedge on the rim or a lime twist.

Garnishing

A simple lime wedge or an expressed lime twist is the classic garnish for a Pegu Club. It adds a fresh citrus aroma that complements the drink's flavor profile.
  • Lime wedge or twist, placed on the rim or in the glass.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is alcoholic, caffeine-free, and typically free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, and gluten. 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

A single serving contains a moderate amount of calories, primarily from the alcohol and orange liqueur. The carbohydrate and sugar content is relatively low for a cocktail.
Calories
Averagely 180-220 kcal / 750-920 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 8-12 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 7-11 g
Sugar level

Occasions

The Pegu Club is an excellent aperitif, making it ideal for pre-dinner drinks or happy hour. Its refreshing and sophisticated character also suits cocktail parties and warm-weather gatherings.
  • Pre-dinner drink
  • Cocktail party
  • Summer gathering
  • Happy hour

Pairing suggestions

The Pegu Club's bright, tart profile pairs wonderfully with salty and spicy foods. It's an excellent companion for Southeast Asian appetizers, fresh oysters, or simple salted nuts, as its acidity cuts through richness and cleanses the palate.
  • Spicy Southeast Asian appetizers
  • Salted nuts
  • Oysters
  • Light seafood dishes

The Pegu Club: A Refreshing Taste of a Bygone Era

The Pegu Club is a timeless gin sour that originated in colonial Burma. It strikes a perfect equilibrium between the tartness of fresh lime, the sweetness of orange curaçao, and the complex aromatic spice from a duo of bitters. Served chilled and straight up, this cocktail is crisp, refreshing, and sophisticated. It is an ideal aperitif or a standout choice for any cocktail enthusiast seeking a taste of history.

Similar cocktails

White Lady

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Mai Tai

A rum-based tiki drink that also features lime and orange curaçao, but adds orgeat syrup for a distinct nutty, tropical profile.

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