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Cocktail History
The Marigold is a modern cocktail that was first published in The Official Downton Abbey Cocktail Book: Appropriate Libations for All Occasions by Lou Bustamante. It’s a variation of the Hanky Panky, a classic cocktail originally created by Ada Coleman who was one of the only female bartenders to ever work at The Savoy Hotel in London, England. It’s named for Lady Edith’s daughter and was inspired by Edith’s desire to live a more modern life in later seasons of the hit television show Downton Abbey.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Gin: This is a spirit made with juniper berries, botanicals, and alcohol. We used Far North Spirits Solveig Gin because it’s fresh and flavorful with notes of citrus, pine, grapefruit, thyme, and coriander. For a mocktail version of this drink, try MONDAY Zero Alcohol Gin in place of the gin.
Cocchi Americano: This is an apéritif made with wine, citrus, honey, spices, sugar, and alcohol. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Apéritif Dry in place of the Cocchi Americano.
Fernet-Branca: This is an amaro made in Italy with gentian, aloe, herbs, spices, sugar, and alcohol. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Harmony Alpine Digestif in place of the amaro.
Lavender Bitters: This is a food product made with lavender buds, botanicals, herbs, and alcohol. We used Scrappy’s Bitters Lavender Bitters.
Orange Twist: This is the peel of an orange that has been twisted into a corkscrew shape.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. We used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Mixing Glass: This is used to hold the ingredients while they’re being stirred. We used the Viski 17 oz Cocktail Mixing Glass.
Bar Spoon: This is used to stir ingredients. We used the Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon.
Julep Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is stirred. We used the A Bar Above Julep Strainer.
Peeler: This is used to remove the garnish peel from the citrus. We used the OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Peeler Set.
Tasting Notes
The Marigold features fragrant lavender and citrus aromas, a rich sweet taste initially, and a noticeable bitterness after swallowing thanks to the Fernet-Branca, Cocchi Americano, and bitters.
Our Opinion of the Cocktail Recipe: When we made ours, we used locally made Far North Spirits Solveig Gin, of which lavender is a component, to bring out more of that flavor. Even with the added herbal notes, Kendall thought this one landed on the Just a Bit Too Bitter for Her List, but Alex enjoyed it. In his words, it’s “definitely a slow and contemplative sipper.”
Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.
Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from The Official Downton Abbey Cocktail Book: Appropriate Libations for All Occasions by Lou Bustamante.
Add gin, Cocchi Americano, Fernet-Branca, lavender bitters, and cubed ice to a mixing glass.
Stir for 30-45 seconds.
Strain into a cocktail glass.
Garnish with orange twist.
Ingredients
Directions
Add gin, Cocchi Americano, Fernet-Branca, lavender bitters, and cubed ice to a mixing glass.
Stir for 30-45 seconds.
Strain into a cocktail glass.
Garnish with orange twist.
Make It a Mocktail: Use MONDAY Zero Alcohol Gin in place of the gin, Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Apéritif Dry in place of the Cocchi Americano, and Harmony Alpine Digestif in place of the amaro to try a booze-free version of this drink.
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More Spring Cocktails
If you like this spring-inspired cocktail recipe, here are a few others we’ve tried that you may enjoy:
Golden Chrysanthemum: A brandy and sparkling wine cocktail made with pear liqueur, Suze, and a lemon twist
Mountaintop Meadow: A vodka cocktail made with elderflower liqueur, simple syrup, lavender bitters, dry sparkling wine, a pineapple wedge, and mint
Final Say: A gin cocktail made with maraschino liqueur, crème de violette, lime juice, and a lime twist
The Parasol: A sparkling wine cocktail made with lemon juice, Lillet Blanc, elderflower liqueur, honey syrup, and a lemon twist
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