Satan's Whiskers

Name: Satan's Whiskers
Prep time: 4 min
Total time: 4 min
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients: 45 ml / 1.5 oz Gin; 15 ml / 0.5 oz Dry Vermouth; 15 ml / 0.5 oz Sweet Vermouth; 15 ml / 0.5 oz Fresh Orange Juice; 7.5 ml / 0.25 oz Grand Marnier; 2 dashes Orange Bitters

Ingredients Instructions

The Satan's Whiskers is a delightful and sophisticated gin-based cocktail that strikes a perfect balance between sweet, sour, and herbal notes. It's essentially a variation on the Bronx cocktail, but with the addition of orange liqueur which gives it a distinct character. The combination of gin, two types of vermouth, and fresh orange juice creates a complex yet refreshing drink. It's an often-overlooked classic that deserves more attention.

Preparation

Preparation time: 4 minutes

Preparation time

Difficulty

Drink Classification

Satan's Whiskers is a classic cocktail from the Prohibition era. It is typically served as an aperitif before a meal due to its balanced and appetite-stimulating qualities. Its status as a classic comes from its inclusion in historical cocktail books like The Savoy Cocktail Book.

Serving

Served straight up in a chilled coupe or cocktail glass, this is a cold, moderately strong drink. The presentation is elegant and classic.

Serving size

Approximately 120 ml / 4 oz

Alcohol content

Approximately 20-24% ABV

Alcohol strength

Serving temperature

Cold

Glass type

Coupe

Glass treatment

Chilled

Backstory

The Satan's Whiskers first appeared in print in Harry Craddock's 1930 "The Savoy Cocktail Book". Its exact origin is unclear, but it's firmly rooted in the London cocktail scene of the Roaring Twenties. The whimsical name is characteristic of the era, which saw many cocktails with playful or slightly risqué names to add to their allure.

Origin

Believed to have originated in London, England, during the 1920s. First published in 1930.

Satan's Whiskers

The drink is known as Satan's Whiskers. It has two main variations, "Straight" and "Curled," which are often treated as alternative names for the specific recipes. The choice between them depends on the orange liqueur used. The name itself is evocative of the Prohibition era's playful and slightly devilish cocktail names.

Original name

Satan's Whiskers

Alternative names

Satan's Whiskers (Straight)
Satan's Whiskers (Curled)

Characteristics overview

This cocktail presents a bright, citrus-forward flavor profile balanced by herbal notes from the gin and vermouths. It has a smooth texture and a clean, refreshing finish, making it a pleasant drink for any season.

Flavor

Citrusy, Herbal, bittersweet, orangey, complex

Aroma

Orange, juniper, botanical, wine-like

Taste balance

Balanced, sweet, sour, bitter

Aftertaste

Clean, short, herbal, orange zest

Fizziness

None

Color appearance

Pale orange, hazy, golden-orange

Texture

Smooth, silky, medium-bodied

Seasonality

Refreshing, all-season

Flavor intensity & Experience

The drink has a moderate flavor intensity, characterized by a pleasant balance of sour citrus and fruitiness against a backdrop of mild sweetness and bitterness. The alcohol strength is present but not overpowering.

Sweetness

Saltiness

Sourness

Bitterness

Spiciness

Fruitiness

Creaminess

Carbonation

Ingredients

The recipe calls for a gin base, complemented by equal parts of dry and sweet vermouth and fresh orange juice. A small amount of orange liqueur and orange bitters ties all the flavors together.

Gin45 ml / 1.5 oz
A classic London Dry Gin works best.
Dry Vermouth15 ml / 0.5 oz
Sweet Vermouth15 ml / 0.5 oz
Fresh Orange Juice15 ml / 0.5 oz
Must be freshly squeezed for best results.
Grand Marnier7.5 ml / 0.25 oz
Use for the "Satan's Whiskers (Straight)" version. This is the more common variation.
Orange Bitters2 dashes

Ice type

Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a standard cocktail shaking set, including a shaker, jigger, and strainers. A juicer is also essential for the fresh orange juice.

Cocktail shaker - For shaking all ingredients with ice.
Jigger or measuring tool - For accurate measurement of ingredients.
Strainer (Hawthorne and Fine-mesh) - To strain the cocktail into the glass.
Citrus juicer - To squeeze fresh orange juice.

Instructions

The preparation is straightforward: chill the glass, shake all ingredients with ice, and double-strain into the glass. Finish with an expressive orange twist garnish.

1. Chill your coupe or cocktail glass by filling it with ice and water, or by placing it in the freezer.

2. Squeeze fresh orange juice.

3. Add all ingredients (gin, dry vermouth, sweet vermouth, orange juice, Grand Marnier, and orange bitters) to a cocktail shaker.

4. Fill the shaker with ice cubes.

5. Shake vigorously for about 12-15 seconds until well-chilled.

6. Discard the ice from your chilled glass.

7. Double-strain the contents of the shaker into the chilled glass to remove ice shards and juice pulp.

8. Garnish with an orange twist, expressing the oils over the surface of the drink before dropping it in.

Garnishing

A simple but elegant orange twist is the perfect garnish. It enhances the drink's orange aroma and complements its flavor profile.

Orange twist - Express the oils over the drink and drop it in or place it on the rim.

Dietary Information

This is an alcoholic beverage that is typically free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, and gluten. It is also suitable for vegan and vegetarian diets, provided the specific brands of vermouth used are confirmed to be vegan.

✓ 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 count, primarily from the alcohol and liqueurs. Its carbohydrate and sugar content is relatively low, coming from the vermouths, liqueur, and orange juice.

Calories

Averagely 160-180 kcal / 670-750 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 a sophisticated cocktail party or as an elegant aperitif before dinner. Its balanced and refreshing nature makes it suitable for various social gatherings and celebrations.

Cocktail party
Pre-dinner drink
Social gathering
Celebration

Pairing suggestions

As an aperitif, the Satan's Whiskers pairs well with light, savory snacks that won't overpower its delicate balance. Think of classic cocktail accompaniments like olives, salted nuts, or simple seafood canapés. Its citrus and herbal notes can also complement dishes with similar profiles.

Olives
Salted nuts
Light appetizers
Seafood canapés

The Devilishly Delicious Satan's Whiskers Cocktail

The Satan's Whiskers is a sophisticated and underrated classic gin cocktail from the 1920s. It beautifully balances the botanicals of gin with the complexity of both sweet and dry vermouths, brightened by fresh orange juice and an orange liqueur. It's an elegant, refreshing, and perfectly poised drink, ideal as a pre-dinner aperitif or for any occasion that calls for a classic cocktail. Its intriguing name and balanced flavor make it a rewarding discovery for any cocktail enthusiast.