The Wayland

The Wayland is an elegant and vibrant cocktail that perfectly balances a symphony of fresh, garden-inspired flavors. It combines the botanical notes of gin with the sweet, floral character of St-Germain and the complex, herbal punch of Green Chartreuse. Freshly muddled cucumber and basil provide a crisp, aromatic coolness, all brightened by a sharp lime citrus backbone, resulting in a sophisticated and utterly refreshing drink.
The Wayland

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Wayland is classified as a modern classic cocktail. It's a contemporary creation that has gained significant acclaim and popularity within the bartending community. Its sophisticated and refreshing profile places it firmly in the category of upscale, modern gin drinks.

Serving

This drink is served "up" (without ice) in a chilled coupe glass, presenting a refined appearance. It's a moderately strong cocktail served cold to enhance its refreshing qualities.
Serving size
Approximately 120-150 ml (4-5 oz)
Alcohol content
Approximately 23-26% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

This cocktail was created by head bartender Brian Hawthorne at The Wayland, a popular bar located in the East Village of New York City. It quickly became the bar's signature drink, celebrated for its unique and harmonious blend of fresh ingredients. The drink's success helped put The Wayland on the map as a destination for quality cocktails.
Origin
The Wayland was created in the early 2010s at The Wayland bar in New York City, USA. It is a quintessential example of the modern craft cocktail movement, emphasizing fresh ingredients and creative flavor combinations.

The Wayland

This cocktail is consistently known by its original name, 'The Wayland,' named after the New York City bar where it was created. It does not have any widely recognized alternative names or aliases, maintaining a distinct identity tied to its origin.
Original name
The Wayland

Characteristics overview

The Wayland offers a complex yet refreshing profile, with a fresh aroma of basil and cucumber leading to a floral, herbal, and citrus-forward taste. Its smooth texture and clean, botanical aftertaste make it a perfect warm-weather sipper.
Flavor
Herbal, Floral, Cucumber, Basil, Citrus, Juniper, Anise
Aroma
Fresh Basil, Cucumber, Elderflower, Gin Botanicals, Lime Zest
Taste balance
Sour, Sweet, Herbal, Botanical
Aftertaste
Clean, Herbal, Lingering Botanicals, Refreshing
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Pale Green, Slightly Cloudy
Texture
Smooth, Crisp, Silky
Seasonality
Refreshing, Spring, Summer

Flavor intensity & Experience

The cocktail is moderately intense, with a beautiful balance between sweetness from the liqueurs and sourness from the lime. The alcohol provides a pleasant warmth without overpowering the delicate herbal and floral notes.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This recipe requires gin as its base, complemented by St-Germain and Green Chartreuse liqueurs. Freshness is key, with muddled cucumber, basil, and freshly squeezed lime juice.
  • Gin60 ml / 2 oz
    A London Dry or contemporary gin with citrus and floral notes works best.
  • St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Provides the key floral sweetness to the drink.
  • Green Chartreuse7.5 ml / 0.25 oz
    Adds intense herbal complexity and a touch of color.
  • Fresh Lime Juice22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Must be freshly squeezed for best results.
  • Cucumber Slices3 slices
    Use fresh, unwaxed cucumber. These are muddled in the shaker.
  • Fresh Basil Leaves5 leaves
    Adds a fresh, aromatic, slightly peppery note.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You'll need a cocktail shaker set with a strainer, a muddler to release flavors from the fresh ingredients, and a jigger for measurement. A second fine-mesh strainer is essential for a smooth texture.
  • Cocktail shaker for shaking the ingredients with ice.
  • Muddler for gently pressing the cucumber and basil.
  • Jigger or measuring tool for accurate pouring.
  • Fine-mesh strainer (for double straining) to remove small particles.

Instructions

The process involves chilling a glass, muddling fresh cucumber and basil in a shaker, adding the spirits and juice, and shaking with ice. The key final step is to double strain the mixture into the glass for a clean, smooth drink.
1. Chill your coupe glass by filling it with ice and water or placing it in the freezer.
2. In the bottom of a cocktail shaker, place the 3 cucumber slices and 5 basil leaves.
3. Gently muddle the cucumber and basil to release their oils and juices. Do not pulverize them.
4. Add the gin, St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Green Chartreuse, and fresh lime juice to the shaker.
5. Fill the shaker with cubed ice.
6. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds until well-chilled.
7. Discard the ice from your coupe glass.
8. Double strain the cocktail through the shaker's built-in strainer and a fine-mesh strainer into the chilled coupe glass.
9. Garnish with a thin slice of cucumber and/or a fresh basil leaf.

Garnishing

Garnish simply with a thin slice of cucumber and/or a single fresh basil leaf floated on top. This visually echoes the fresh ingredients used within the cocktail itself.
  • Thin cucumber slice, floated on top or placed on the rim.
  • A fresh basil leaf, floated on the surface.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally free from common allergens such as dairy, eggs, nuts, soy, and gluten. It is suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets and contains no caffeine.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail contains a moderate amount of calories, carbohydrates, and sugar, primarily derived from the elderflower and Chartreuse liqueurs. It is not considered a low-calorie or low-sugar beverage.
Calories
Approximately 230-260 kcal (962-1088 kJ)
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 12-15g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 10-13g
Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail's bright and refreshing nature makes it ideal for warm weather occasions like summer gatherings and garden parties. It also serves wonderfully as an elegant aperitif for cocktail hour or a sophisticated choice for brunch.
  • Summer Parties
  • Garden Parties
  • Brunches
  • Cocktail Hour
  • Pre-dinner Drink

Pairing suggestions

The Wayland's fresh and herbal profile pairs excellently with light and clean flavors. It complements appetizers like seafood, fresh salads, and soft cheeses such as goat cheese, which won't overpower the cocktail's delicate notes.
  • Light seafood dishes like oysters or ceviche
  • Goat cheese and crackers
  • Fresh salads with vinaigrette dressing
  • Spring vegetable appetizers

The Wayland: A Garden in a Glass

The Wayland is a standout modern classic that beautifully captures the essence of a garden in a glass. Its intricate layering of botanical gin, floral St-Germain, and herbal Chartreuse is brought to life with the crisp freshness of muddled cucumber and basil. The result is a sophisticated, balanced, and deeply refreshing cocktail that is perfect for sipping on a warm evening or as an impressive start to a meal. It's a testament to the creativity of the modern cocktail era.

Similar Cocktails

Gin Basil Smash

A simpler cocktail focusing on gin, lemon, sugar, and a generous amount of muddled basil. It lacks the floral and complex herbal notes from the liqueurs.

Eastside Cocktail

Features gin, lime, simple syrup, mint, and cucumber. It is very similar but uses mint instead of basil and lacks the Chartreuse and elderflower liqueur.

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