The Gatlin

The Gatlin is a sophisticated and spirit-forward cocktail created by Toby Maloney at The Violet Hour in Chicago. It elegantly combines the botanical sweetness of Old Tom Gin with the rich, herbal notes of sweet vermouth and Bénédictine. A dash of orange bitters ties the flavors together, resulting in a drink that is both familiar and intriguingly different from its whiskey-based cousins.
The Gatlin

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Gatlin is classified as a modern classic cocktail. It follows a classic preparation style (stirred, spirit-forward) but was created in the contemporary craft cocktail era, distinguishing it from historical pre-Prohibition drinks.

Serving

The Gatlin is a spirit-forward drink served cold and neat (up) in a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass. It has a significant alcohol content typical of classic stirred cocktails.
Serving size
Approximately 90 ml / 3 oz (before dilution)
Alcohol content
Estimated 28-32% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

Created by renowned bartender Toby Maloney at the iconic Chicago bar, The Violet Hour, during the mid-2000s cocktail renaissance. The drink is a testament to the bar's philosophy of creating balanced, pre-Prohibition style cocktails with modern sensibilities. It is reportedly named after one of Maloney's friends.
Origin
The Gatlin was created by Toby Maloney at The Violet Hour in Chicago, Illinois, USA, around the mid-2000s.

The Gatlin

The drink is consistently known as The Gatlin, a name given by its creator, Toby Maloney. It is sometimes referred to as the Gatlin Cocktail, but the single-word name is most common in cocktail circles.
Original name
The Gatlin
Alternative name
Gatlin Cocktail

Characteristics overview

This is a silky, spirit-forward cocktail with a complex herbal and botanical profile, balanced between sweet and bitter. Its aroma is rich with juniper and orange, leading to a long, warming finish perfect for any season.
Flavor
Herbal, Botanical, Sweet, Complex, Juniper, Honeyed, Spicy
Aroma
Aromatic, Herbal, Juniper, Orange peel, Anise
Taste balance
Sweet, Bitter, Herbal
Aftertaste
Long, Warming, Herbal, Complex
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Amber, Deep gold, Clear
Texture
Silky, Smooth, Spiritous
Seasonality
All-season, Leans toward cooler weather

Flavor intensity & Experience

A moderately high flavor intensity is driven by the interplay of sweet, herbal, and botanical notes. The alcohol strength is pronounced but well-integrated into the cocktail's silky texture.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This recipe requires Old Tom Gin as its base, complemented by sweet vermouth and the herbal liqueur Bénédictine. A couple of dashes of orange bitters and an orange peel for garnish complete the drink.
  • Old Tom Gin60 ml / 2 oz
    A slightly sweeter style of gin, essential for the intended balance of the drink.
  • Sweet Vermouth22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    A quality Italian-style sweet vermouth like Carpano Antica Formula or Cocchi di Torino works well.
  • Bénédictine D.O.M.7.5 ml / 0.25 oz
    A French herbal liqueur that adds sweetness and complexity.
  • Orange Bitters2 dashes
    Helps to bind the flavors and add a subtle citrus note.
  • Orange Peel1 twist
    For garnish and aroma.

Ice type

  • Cubed ice for stirring

Mixing equipments

You will need standard bar tools for a stirred cocktail: a mixing glass to combine and chill the ingredients, a bar spoon for stirring, and a strainer to pour the finished drink.
  • Mixing Glass: For combining and chilling the ingredients.
  • Bar Spoon: For stirring the cocktail to the correct dilution and temperature.
  • Jigger or Measuring Cup: For accurately measuring the liquid ingredients.
  • Julep or Hawthorne Strainer: For straining the chilled cocktail into the serving glass.

Instructions

The Gatlin is prepared by stirring all liquid ingredients with ice in a mixing glass until perfectly chilled and diluted. It is then strained into a chilled coupe and finished with an expressed orange peel for garnish.
1. Chill a coupe or Nick & Nora glass in the freezer or by filling it with ice water.
2. Combine the Old Tom Gin, sweet vermouth, Bénédictine, and orange bitters in a mixing glass.
3. Fill the mixing glass two-thirds to three-quarters full with large, cold ice cubes.
4. Stir gently and consistently with a bar spoon for approximately 20-30 seconds, until the outside of the glass is frosty and the drink is well-chilled.
5. If you used ice water, empty the chilled serving glass.
6. Using a strainer, pour the cocktail from the mixing glass into the chilled serving glass.
7. Take a swath of orange peel and hold it skin-side down over the drink. Squeeze it to express the citrus oils onto the surface of the cocktail.
8. Drop the peel into the glass as a garnish and serve immediately.

Garnishing

A fresh orange peel is the essential garnish for The Gatlin. Its expressed citrus oils add a bright, aromatic dimension that perfectly complements the cocktail's complex flavors.
  • Orange Peel Twist: Express the oils from a fresh orange peel over the surface of the drink, then drop it in or place it on the rim.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is alcoholic and generally free from common allergens like caffeine, dairy, eggs, gluten, and nuts. It is suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets, though it's always wise to check the specific brands of vermouth and liqueurs used.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a moderately caloric cocktail, with its energy coming primarily from the alcohol and the sugar in the liqueurs and vermouth. It is relatively low in total carbohydrates and sugar per serving.
Calories
Averagely 190-210 kcal / 795-880 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 8-10 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 8-10 g
Sugar level

Occasions

Perfect for a sophisticated cocktail hour or as an elegant pre-dinner aperitif. Its robust character also makes it an excellent nightcap for connoisseurs of stirred, spirit-forward drinks.
  • Cocktail Hour
  • Sophisticated Gathering
  • Pre-dinner Drink
  • Nightcap

Pairing suggestions

The Gatlin's rich, herbal profile pairs beautifully with savory and salty appetizers. Consider serving it alongside a charcuterie board featuring cured meats, a selection of hard cheeses, or a simple bowl of high-quality olives and nuts.
  • Charcuterie Board
  • Hard Cheeses (like Manchego or aged cheddar)
  • Marinated Olives
  • Spiced or Roasted Nuts

The Gatlin: A Gin-Forward Ode to the Manhattan

The Gatlin is a modern classic that offers a delightful twist on the Manhattan formula by using Old Tom Gin. Created by Toby Maloney, it's a spirit-forward, stirred cocktail that beautifully balances the botanicals of gin with the sweetness of vermouth and the complex herbal notes of Bénédictine. Served neat in a chilled coupe with an orange twist, it is a sophisticated and deeply satisfying drink for those who appreciate well-crafted, spirit-driven cocktails.

Similar Cocktails

Martinez

Often considered the precursor to the Martini. It typically uses Old Tom Gin and sweet vermouth but calls for Maraschino liqueur instead of Bénédictine.

Bobby Burns

Shares the sweet vermouth and Bénédictine combination but uses Scotch whisky as the base spirit, resulting in a smokier, maltier profile.

Vieux Carré

A more complex New Orleans classic using a split base of rye whiskey and cognac, with sweet vermouth, Bénédictine, and both Peychaud's and Angostura bitters.

Classic Inspirations

Manhattan

The direct template for The Gatlin, using rye whiskey or bourbon as the base spirit instead of Old Tom Gin.

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