Poker Cocktail
The Poker Cocktail is a forgotten classic that deserves a revival. It's a perfectly balanced, gin-based drink that uses equal amounts of sweet and dry vermouth, creating a profile similar to a Perfect Martini or a Perfect Manhattan, but with gin as its soul. A dash of orange bitters adds a subtle citrus complexity, tying the herbal notes of the gin and vermouths together. It is a stirred, aromatic cocktail served straight up.
Preparation
Preparation time: 3 minutes
Preparation time
Difficulty
Drink Classification
The Poker Cocktail is a classic cocktail from the early 20th century. It falls into the "short drink" category, typically served "up" as an aperitif. Its composition is similar to a "Perfect" style cocktail due to the use of both sweet and dry vermouth.
Serving
Served chilled and straight up in a coupe or cocktail glass, this is a relatively strong but small-volume drink. It's an elegant, aromatic sipper.
Serving size
Approx. 90 ml / 3 oz
Alcohol content
Approx. 26-30% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe or Cocktail glass
Glass treatment
Chilled
Backstory
The exact origin of the Poker Cocktail is murky, but it first appeared in print in the early 20th century, including in Hugo R. Ensslin's 1917 "Recipes for Mixed Drinks" and later in Harry Craddock's influential "The Savoy Cocktail Book" from 1930. The name likely evokes the sophisticated, contemplative atmosphere of a high-stakes poker game. It represents a classic style of cocktail-making from the pre-Prohibition era.
Origin
United States, early 20th century.
Poker Cocktail
The drink is most commonly known as the Poker Cocktail, sometimes shortened to just Poker. It's a classic recipe with a straightforward name reflecting its sophisticated, game-night character. There are no significant alternative names for this specific formulation.
Original name
Poker Cocktail
Alternative name
Poker
Characteristics overview
The Poker Cocktail has a smooth, silky texture and a beautiful pale amber color, with prominent herbal and juniper aromas. Its taste is a masterful balance of spirit, sweetness, and dryness, with a clean, lingering finish.
Flavor
Herbal, botanical, semi-sweet, citrusy, complex
Aroma
Juniper, citrus peel, wine, herbs
Taste balance
Balanced, spirit-forward, slightly sweet, slightly bitter
Aftertaste
Clean, herbal, lingering warmth
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Clear, pale amber or light gold hue
Texture
Silky, smooth
Seasonality
Year-round, classic
Flavor intensity & Experience
This is a strong, spirit-forward cocktail with a moderate flavor intensity, where the herbal notes are balanced by subtle sweetness and bitterness. It is completely still and contains no creaminess or saltiness.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation
Ingredients
The recipe calls for a simple combination of gin, both sweet and dry vermouth, and a couple of dashes of orange bitters. Quality ingredients are key to achieving the best flavor balance.
- London Dry Gin45 ml / 1.5 ozA classic London Dry style works best to provide a solid juniper backbone.
- Sweet Vermouth22.5 ml / 0.75 ozUse a quality Italian-style sweet vermouth.
- Dry Vermouth22.5 ml / 0.75 ozUse a quality French-style dry vermouth.
- Orange Bitters2 dashesAdds a subtle layer of citrus complexity.
Ice type
- Cubed ice for stirring
Mixing equipments
You will need standard stirring equipment: a mixing glass, a jigger for measuring, a long bar spoon, and a strainer. This cocktail is stirred, not shaken.
- Mixing glass: for combining and chilling the ingredients.
- Jigger: for accurate measurement.
- Bar spoon: for stirring the cocktail.
- Strainer: to hold back the ice when pouring.
Instructions
This is a straightforward stirred drink; combine all liquid ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, stir until chilled, and strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with a lemon twist to finish.
1. Chill your coupe or cocktail glass in the freezer or by filling it with ice and water.
2. Add the gin, sweet vermouth, dry vermouth, and orange bitters to a mixing glass.
3. Fill the mixing glass with cubed ice.
4. Stir with a bar spoon for 20-30 seconds until well-chilled and properly diluted.
5. Empty the ice from your serving glass if used.
6. Strain the contents of the mixing glass into the chilled serving glass.
7. Garnish by expressing the oils from a lemon twist over the surface of the drink, then dropping it in.
Garnishing
A simple lemon twist is the classic garnish, providing a bright citrus aroma that complements the cocktail's botanicals.
- Lemon twist: Express the oils over the drink's surface and drop it in or place it on the rim.
Dietary Information
This cocktail is generally free from common allergens like caffeine, dairy, eggs, nuts, and soy. It is suitable for vegan and vegetarian diets, though it is wise to check individual vermouth brands for non-vegan fining agents.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly
Nutrition information
This cocktail is moderately caloric, with around 180 kcal per serving, primarily from the alcohol. The carbohydrate and sugar content comes almost entirely from the sweet vermouth.
Calories
Averagely 170-190 kcal / 711-795 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 7-9 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 6-8 g
Sugar level
Occasions
This cocktail is an excellent choice for an aperitif before a meal or as a sophisticated sipper at a cocktail party. Its name also makes it a fitting choice for a game night with friends. It's a versatile classic suitable for any occasion that calls for a spirit-forward drink.
- Aperitif
- Cocktail party
- Game night
- Pre-dinner drink
Pairing suggestions
The Poker Cocktail's balanced, herbal profile pairs wonderfully with savory and salty appetizers. Think olives, cured meats, or a cheese board to complement its complex character without overpowering it. It's an excellent pre-dinner drink that stimulates the palate.
- Salty snacks like olives or nuts
- Cured meats and charcuterie boards
- Hard cheeses like Parmesan or Pecorino
- Smoked salmon blinis
The Poker Cocktail: A Winning Hand of Classic Flavors
The Poker Cocktail is a hidden gem from the golden age of cocktails. It masterfully balances the botanicals of gin with the sweet and dry notes of two types of vermouth, creating a drink that is both complex and approachable. Similar in structure to a Perfect Martini, it offers a slightly sweeter and more herbaceous profile. Perfect for any occasion that calls for a sophisticated, stirred, and spirit-forward sipper, the Poker Cocktail is a winning hand for any gin lover.
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