Twenty-Seventh State

The Twenty-Seventh State is a complex yet beautifully balanced modern classic cocktail. It combines the botanical sharpness of gin with the sweet, floral notes of St-Germain elderflower liqueur and the subtle, honeyed herbal character of yellow Chartreuse. Freshly squeezed grapefruit juice provides a tart, invigorating backbone that ties all the elements together, resulting in a drink that is both aromatic and deeply refreshing.
Twenty-Seventh State

Preparation

Preparation time: 4 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Twenty-Seventh State is categorized as a Modern Classic cocktail. It fits into the sour family of drinks, characterized by a spirit, citrus, and a sweetener, but is elevated by complex herbal and floral liqueurs.

Serving

This is a moderately alcoholic drink served 'straight up' (without ice) in a pre-chilled coupe glass for an elegant, cold presentation.
Serving size
Approximately 120-150 ml / 4-5 oz
Alcohol content
Estimated 20-24% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

This cocktail was created in the late 2000s by bartender Theo Lieberman at the iconic New York City speakeasy, Milk & Honey. The name "Twenty-Seventh State" is a clever homage to Florida, which was the 27th state to join the union. This name was chosen to highlight the drink's essential citrus ingredient: grapefruit, one of Florida's most famous agricultural products.
Origin
New York City, USA, created in the late 2000s by Theo Lieberman at Milk & Honey.

Twenty-Seventh State

Primarily known as the Twenty-Seventh State, it is sometimes abbreviated to the 27th State Cocktail. The name is a direct reference to Florida, the 27th state admitted to the United States, which is famous for its grapefruit, a key ingredient in the drink.
Original name
Twenty-Seventh State
Alternative name
27th State Cocktail

Characteristics overview

This drink has a complex aroma of grapefruit and botanicals, with a silky texture and a refreshing, balanced flavor profile that is simultaneously sweet, sour, and subtly bitter. The finish is clean with lingering herbal notes, making it perfect for warm weather.
Flavor
Citrusy, Herbal, Floral, Bittersweet, Botanical
Aroma
Grapefruit, Elderflower, Herbal, Juniper
Taste balance
Sweet, Sour, Bitter
Aftertaste
Clean, Lingering herbal notes, Tart
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Pale yellow, Hazy, Clear
Texture
Smooth, Silky
Seasonality
Refreshing, Summery, Springtime

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is moderately intense and well-balanced, featuring a prominent interplay of tart citrus, floral sweetness, and a distinct herbal complexity from the Chartreuse. The alcohol provides a pleasant warmth without overpowering the other components.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This recipe calls for gin as its base, complemented by two distinctive liqueurs, St-Germain and Yellow Chartreuse. Fresh grapefruit juice and simple syrup are required for balance.
  • Gin45 ml / 1.5 oz
    Plymouth Gin is traditional, but a quality London Dry Gin is an excellent substitute.
  • St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Provides the key floral sweetness to the drink.
  • Yellow Chartreuse7.5 ml / 0.25 oz
    Adds a sweet, complex herbal character. Do not substitute with Green Chartreuse unless seeking a much bolder flavor.
  • Grapefruit Juice22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Freshly squeezed is essential for the best flavor.
  • Simple Syrup7.5 ml / 0.25 oz
    1:1 sugar-to-water ratio. Adjust to taste based on the sweetness of your grapefruit.

Ice type

  • Cubed ice

Mixing equipments

Standard cocktail-making equipment is needed, including a shaker set with strainers and a jigger for precise measurements. A citrus juicer is highly recommended for fresh juice.
  • Cocktail shaker for chilling and combining ingredients.
  • Jigger or measuring tool for accurate pours.
  • Hawthorne strainer to hold back ice after shaking.
  • Fine mesh strainer to remove small ice chips and citrus pulp.
  • Citrus juicer to extract fresh grapefruit juice.

Instructions

The method involves chilling a glass, shaking all liquid ingredients with ice until very cold, and double straining into the prepared glass. The final step is garnishing with an expressed grapefruit twist.
1. Place your coupe glass in the freezer or fill it with ice and water to chill.
2. Add the gin, St-Germain, Yellow Chartreuse, fresh grapefruit juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker three-quarters full with cubed ice.
4. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for about 12-15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker is well-chilled.
5. Empty the chilling ice from your coupe glass.
6. Double strain the contents of the shaker through a Hawthorne strainer and a fine mesh strainer into the chilled glass.
7. Take a fresh grapefruit peel, hold it over the drink, and squeeze it to express the aromatic oils onto the surface.
8. Drop the grapefruit twist into the glass as a garnish and serve immediately.

Garnishing

The drink is garnished with a grapefruit twist, which adds aromatic oils that enhance the cocktail's flavor and aroma.
  • Grapefruit Twist: Cut a swath of grapefruit peel, express its oils over the drink's surface, then drop it into the glass.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally free from common allergens such as dairy, eggs, nuts, and soy. Assuming distilled spirits are considered gluten-free and the sugar is vegan, it is suitable for vegan and vegetarian diets.
✓ 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 and sugar content, deriving mostly from the liqueurs, syrup, and juice. It is not considered a low-calorie or low-sugar beverage.
Calories
Averagely 190-220 kcal / 795-920 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 15-18 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 14-17 g
Sugar level

Occasions

With its bright and sophisticated profile, this cocktail is ideal for cocktail parties, as a pre-dinner aperitif, or for sipping on a warm summer evening. It also serves as an elegant choice for a special brunch.
  • Cocktail Party
  • Summer Evenings
  • Aperitif
  • Brunch

Pairing suggestions

Its bright, herbal, and citrus-forward profile pairs exceptionally well with light and fresh dishes. Consider serving it alongside seafood appetizers, tangy salads, or simple, salty snacks to complement its flavors without overwhelming them.
  • Seafood appetizers like shrimp cocktail or ceviche
  • Salads with goat cheese and citrus vinaigrette
  • Light poultry dishes like grilled chicken
  • Salty, savory snacks like olives or Marcona almonds

The Twenty-Seventh State: A Sunshine State of Mind

The Twenty-Seventh State is a superb example of modern cocktail artistry from the renowned Milk & Honey bar. Its name is a clever nod to Florida, the origin of its defining grapefruit ingredient. This drink masterfully balances the botanical notes of gin with the luscious floral sweetness of St-Germain and the complex herbal profile of Yellow Chartreuse. The result is a sophisticated, aromatic, and deeply refreshing cocktail that is perfect for those who enjoy a complex gin sour.

Similar Cocktails

The Last Word

A classic equal-parts cocktail featuring gin and Chartreuse (Green), but with maraschino liqueur and lime juice, offering a different but similarly complex flavor profile.

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Another cocktail that blends gin, an elderflower liqueur (like St-Germain), and grapefruit juice, but uses Lillet Blanc instead of Chartreuse for a lighter, more aperitif-style character.

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