Red Lion Cocktail
The Red Lion is a sophisticated yet approachable classic gin sour. It beautifully marries the crispness of dry gin with the complex, cognac-based orange flavor of Grand Marnier. Freshly squeezed orange and lemon juices provide a bright, tangy counterpoint, creating a perfectly balanced and refreshing drink with a beautiful reddish-gold hue. It's a testament to the elegance of simple, well-chosen ingredients.
Preparation
Preparation time: 3 minutes
Preparation time
Difficulty
Drink Classification
The Red Lion is a classic cocktail, categorized as a "sour" due to its fundamental balance of spirit (gin), citrus (lemon and orange), and a sweetener (Grand Marnier). It represents an early 20th-century style of mixology.
Serving
Served cold and "straight up" in a chilled cocktail or coupe glass, the Red Lion is a spirit-forward drink with a significant alcohol content. Pre-chilling the glass is essential for the best experience.
Serving size
Approximately 4 oz / 120 ml
Alcohol content
Estimated 25-30% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Cocktail glass or Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled
Backstory
The Red Lion cocktail was created in 1933 by Arthur A. Tarling, a bartender at the renowned Café Royal in London. It was his winning entry in the British Empire Cocktail Competition that year, securing his place in cocktail history. The drink's name is said to be a nod to one of the most common and traditional English pub names.
Origin
The Red Lion originated in London, England, in 1933. It was conceived by bartender Arthur A. Tarling for a major cocktail competition, reflecting the creative bartending scene of the era.
Red Lion Cocktail
The drink is consistently known as the Red Lion Cocktail or simply the Red Lion. There are no widely recognized alternative names for this classic recipe, though some variations might alter the name slightly.
Original name
Red Lion Cocktail
Alternative name
Red Lion
Characteristics overview
The Red Lion boasts a bright, citrus-forward flavor profile dominated by orange and gin botanicals, with a smooth, crisp texture. Its aroma is a fragrant mix of juniper and fresh citrus, leading to a perfectly balanced sweet and sour taste.
Flavor
Citrusy, orange, botanical, slightly sweet, tangy
Aroma
Orange zest, juniper, fresh citrus
Taste balance
Sweet, sour
Aftertaste
Clean, citrusy, warming
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Golden-orange, reddish-hue, clear
Texture
Smooth, crisp, light
Seasonality
Refreshing, summery, year-round
Flavor intensity & Experience
The flavor is moderately intense, led by a strong fruitiness and sourness from the citrus and liqueur, balanced by the spirit's strength. It is not sweet, spicy, or carbonated.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation
Ingredients
The Red Lion requires four key ingredients: a quality London Dry Gin, Grand Marnier for its signature orange flavor, and freshly squeezed lemon and orange juice for balance. The freshness of the citrus is paramount.
- London Dry Gin1 oz / 30 mlA classic London Dry style works best to provide the botanical backbone.
- Grand Marnier1 oz / 30 mlIts cognac base provides depth that other orange liqueurs may not.
- Lemon Juice0.5 oz / 15 mlMust be freshly squeezed for the best flavor.
- Orange Juice0.5 oz / 15 mlMust be freshly squeezed for brightness and to complement the Grand Marnier.
Ice type
- Cubed
Mixing equipments
You will need a standard cocktail shaker set, including a jigger for accurate measuring and a Hawthorne strainer. A fine-mesh strainer is highly recommended to ensure a silky-smooth texture.
- Cocktail shaker
- Jigger or measuring tool
- Hawthorne strainer
- Fine-mesh strainer
Instructions
This cocktail is made by shaking all ingredients with ice until well-chilled. It is then double-strained into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass and finished with an orange twist garnish.
1. Chill your cocktail glass or coupe, either in a freezer or by filling it with ice water while you prepare the drink.
2. Pour the gin, Grand Marnier, fresh lemon juice, and fresh orange juice into a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker two-thirds full with ice cubes.
4. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker is frosty cold.
5. If you used ice water to chill your glass, discard it.
6. Place a Hawthorne strainer over the shaker and a fine-mesh strainer over the glass, then pour the drink through both (double-strain) into the chilled glass.
7. Take a fresh orange peel, twist it over the drink's surface to express the oils, and then use the twist as a garnish.
Garnishing
A simple orange twist is the classic garnish, adding aromatic oils to the drink's surface which enhances the overall orange aroma and flavor experience.
- Orange twist, expressed over the drink and dropped in or placed on the rim.
Dietary Information
This cocktail is naturally free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, and soy. It is suitable for vegan and vegetarian diets and is typically gluten-free, as distillation removes gluten proteins from the spirits.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly
Nutrition information
A single serving contains approximately 190 calories, primarily from the alcohol and the sugars in the liqueur and juices. The carbohydrate and sugar content is moderate.
Calories
Averagely 190 kcal / 795 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 12 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 11 g
Sugar level
Occasions
This cocktail is versatile, perfect as a pre-dinner aperitif to stimulate the palate or as a featured drink at a sophisticated cocktail party. Its refreshing citrus character also makes it an excellent choice for a warm summer evening or any celebratory gathering.
- Cocktail Party
- Aperitif
- Summer Evening
- Celebration
Pairing suggestions
The Red Lion's bright acidity and citrus notes pair wonderfully with light seafood dishes, cutting through richness and complementing delicate flavors. It is also an excellent companion to salty appetizers such as olives, nuts, or mild cheese platters, acting as a palate cleanser.
- Light appetizers
- Seafood dishes like shrimp cocktail or ceviche
- Salty snacks like olives or toasted almonds
- Cheese platters with mild cheeses
The Red Lion Cocktail: A Roar of Citrus and Gin
The Red Lion is a timeless gin classic from 1930s London, celebrated for its perfect harmony of botanical gin and rich orange liqueur. Its vibrant flavor profile is driven by a quartet of gin, Grand Marnier, and fresh lemon and orange juices, resulting in a sophisticated sour. Served straight up in a chilled coupe, it's an elegant and refreshing choice for any cocktail enthusiast looking to explore historical recipes that deserve more recognition.
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