Tipperary Cocktail

The Tipperary is a classic, stirred cocktail that beautifully balances the spicy character of Irish whiskey with the sweet, botanical notes of Italian vermouth and the complex herbal punch of Green Chartreuse. It is a sophisticated and spirit-forward drink, perfect for those who enjoy a Manhattan but are looking for a more intricate flavor profile. The addition of bitters ties the potent ingredients together, creating a smooth yet powerful sipping experience that evolves in the glass.
Tipperary Cocktail

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Tipperary is classified as a classic cocktail. It belongs to the stirred, spirit-forward category of drinks, similar in style and construction to a Manhattan or Negroni. Its history places it firmly within the canon of pre-Prohibition era classics.

Serving

This is a spirit-forward drink served cold and "up" (without ice) in a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass. Its alcohol content is significant, similar to other classic stirred cocktails like the Manhattan or Negroni.
Serving size
Approximately 90 ml / 3 oz (before dilution)
Alcohol content
Approximately 28-32% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

The cocktail is named after the Irish county of Tipperary and the wildly popular British music hall song from 1912, "It's a Long Way to Tipperary." It first appeared in print in Hugo R. Ensslin's 1916 book "Recipes for Mixed Drinks." The drink's creation and name are directly tied to the song's immense popularity among soldiers during World War I, offering a taste of Ireland in a glass during a tumultuous time.
Origin
USA, circa 1916. While named for an Irish county, the cocktail was first published in New York City by Hugo Ensslin, placing its origin in the American cocktail scene of the early 20th century.

Tipperary Cocktail

The drink is consistently known by its original name, the Tipperary Cocktail. While not a common moniker, it can be described as an "Irish Manhattan with Chartreuse" to give an idea of its flavor profile, though this is not a recognized alternative name.
Original name
Tipperary Cocktail
Alternative name
Irish Manhattan with Chartreuse

Characteristics overview

The Tipperary presents a complex herbal and spicy flavor profile with a warming, silky texture. Its aroma is rich with botanicals from the Chartreuse and vermouth, complemented by bright citrus from the garnish, leading to a long and satisfying herbal finish.
Flavor
Herbal, Spicy, Sweet, Complex, Botanical, Anise
Aroma
Herbaceous, Sweet spices, Whiskey grain, Citrus oils, Minty
Taste balance
Sweet, Bitter, Herbal
Aftertaste
Long, Warming, Herbal, Slightly bitter, Complex
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Deep amber, Golden-brown, Clear
Texture
Silky, Smooth, Spirit-forward, Rich
Seasonality
Warming, All-season, Autumnal, Wintry

Flavor intensity & Experience

The drink is spirit-forward with a pronounced herbal sweetness from the vermouth and Chartreuse, which balances the spicy Irish whiskey. It is a bold, intensely flavorful, and non-carbonated cocktail for the discerning palate.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires three core spirits: Irish whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Green Chartreuse, plus a couple of dashes of Angostura bitters. Ensure all ingredients are of good quality for the best result.
  • Irish Whiskey45 ml / 1.5 oz
    A good quality, slightly spicy Irish whiskey works best.
  • Sweet Vermouth30 ml / 1 oz
    A quality Italian-style sweet vermouth is recommended, such as Carpano Antica Formula or Cocchi Vermouth di Torino.
  • Green Chartreuse15 ml / 0.5 oz
    There is no substitute for its unique 130-herb profile.
  • Angostura Bitters2 dashes
    Helps to bind the flavors together. Orange bitters can also be used.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need standard bar tools for a stirred cocktail: a mixing glass to combine and chill the ingredients, a jigger for accurate measurements, a bar spoon for stirring, and a strainer to pour.
  • Mixing glass for stirring
  • Jigger for measuring
  • Bar spoon for stirring
  • Cocktail strainer (Hawthorne or Julep)

Instructions

This is a straightforward stirred drink: combine all liquid ingredients in an ice-filled mixing glass, stir until well-chilled, then strain into a chilled coupe and garnish with an expressed orange peel.
1. Place your coupe or Nick & Nora glass in the freezer to chill.
2. Add the Irish whiskey, sweet vermouth, Green Chartreuse, and Angostura bitters to a mixing glass.
3. Fill the mixing glass two-thirds full with large, cold ice cubes.
4. Stir with a bar spoon smoothly for about 20-30 seconds, until the outside of the mixing glass is frosty and the drink is well-chilled.
5. Strain the mixture into your chilled glass.
6. Take a fresh orange peel, hold it over the drink with the colored side down, and pinch it to express the citrus oils over the surface. Then, drop the peel into the glass.

Garnishing

A simple orange peel garnish is perfect for this drink. Expressing its oils over the surface before dropping it in adds a bright citrus aroma that complements the cocktail's deep, herbal flavors.
  • Orange peel expressed over the drink and used as a twist.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is typically vegan and free from dairy, eggs, nuts, and soy. However, it is not considered gluten-free, as whiskey is derived from gluten-containing grains, though the distillation process removes most gluten proteins.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✕ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This spirit-forward cocktail contains around 210 calories per serving, mainly from the alcohol and the sugars in the vermouth and Chartreuse. It has a moderate sugar content of approximately 9 grams per serving.
Calories
Approximately 210 kcal / 879 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 10g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 9g
Sugar level

Occasions

The Tipperary is an excellent choice for a sophisticated cocktail hour or as a contemplative nightcap. Its bold flavors make it a great pre-dinner drink to stimulate the palate for a rich meal. It is best suited for moments that call for a classic, spirituous sipper.
  • Pre-dinner drink
  • Cocktail party
  • Nightcap
  • Sophisticated gathering

Pairing suggestions

The Tipperary's bold, herbaceous, and slightly sweet profile pairs exceptionally well with rich and savory foods. It stands up beautifully to the funk of strong cheeses, the saltiness of cured meats, and the bittersweet notes of high-quality dark chocolate. It's an excellent companion to a post-dinner cheese course.
  • Strong cheeses (blue cheese, aged cheddar)
  • Charcuterie board
  • Dark chocolate
  • Roasted nuts

The Tipperary Cocktail: A Herbaceous Irish Classic

The Tipperary Cocktail is a timeless classic for lovers of spirit-forward drinks, masterfully combining the spice of Irish whiskey with the complex herbal profiles of sweet vermouth and Green Chartreuse. Originating around 1916 and named for a famous WWI-era song, it offers a sophisticated, warming, and deeply flavorful alternative to a standard Manhattan. Served chilled in a coupe glass with an aromatic orange twist, it is the perfect cocktail for a contemplative evening or a stylish gathering.

Similar cocktails

Vieux Carré

Uses a split base of rye whiskey and cognac, with Bénédictine liqueur instead of Chartreuse, and includes Peychaud's bitters.

Manhattan

The classic template from which the Tipperary is a riff, using rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters, with no Chartreuse.

Widow's Kiss

A different style of herbal cocktail using Calvados (apple brandy) as the base with Yellow Chartreuse and Bénédictine.

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