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Cocktail History
The Stork Club is a classic gin cocktail that was created during American Prohibition. The recipe is traditionally made with gin and multiple types of citrus, and it was named after the New York City bar that was “the nightclub of choice” for Hollywood stars from the late 1920s through the mid 1960s. According to historians, the gold chain out front that was lifted for society’s elite as they entered the club is what made it famous.
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 Prairie Organic Spirits Gin because it has a classic juniper flavor with notes of citrus and spices. For a mocktail version of this drink, try MONDAY Zero Alcohol Gin in place of the gin.
Triple Sec: This is a liqueur made with bitter oranges, lemons, sugar, and alcohol. We used Cointreau because it’s one of the highest quality orange liqueurs on the market. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Lyre’s Orange Sec Non-Alcoholic Spirit in place of the orange liqueur.
Tangerine Juice: This is the liquid juice of a tangerine. We used freshly squeezed tangerine juice.
Lime Juice: This is the liquid juice of a lime. We used freshly squeezed lime juice.
Orange Bitters: This is a food product made with oranges, botanicals, herbs, and alcohol. We used Angostura Orange Bitters. For a mocktail version of this drink, try All The Bitter Non-Alcoholic Orange Bitters in place of the orange bitters.
Lime Slice: This is a slice of lime that has been cut into a half wheel 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.
Boston Shaker: This is used to shake ingredients. We used the Boston shaker from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Hawthorne Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is shaken. We used the A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer.
Paring Knife: This is used to cut ingredients. We used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.
Juicer: This is used to juice citrus. We used the ALEEHAI Manual Fruit Juicer.
Tasting Notes
The Stork Club features aromas of tangerine and other citruses and the botanical taste of the gin mixed with sweet and sour citrus.
Our Opinion of This Cocktail Recipe: The vintage recipe in the book called for too much tangerine juice, in our opinion, which in true Prohibition-era fashion would’ve masked the taste of the gin. We decided to pare it down a bit to bring out the other flavors, and the result is a tasty, fruity, and yellow-hued cocktail that we both enjoyed and would make again.
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 Art of Vintage Cocktails by Stephanie Rosenbaum.
Add gin, triple sec, tangerine juice, lime juice, orange bitters, and cubed ice to a shaker.
Shake for 10-20 seconds.
Strain into a cocktail glass.
Garnish with lime slice.
Ingredients
Directions
Add gin, triple sec, tangerine juice, lime juice, orange bitters, and cubed ice to a shaker.
Shake for 10-20 seconds.
Strain into a cocktail glass.
Garnish with lime slice.
Make It a Mocktail: Use MONDAY Zero Alcohol Gin in place of the gin, Lyre’s Orange Sec Non-Alcoholic Spirit in place of the orange liqueur, and All The Bitter Non-Alcoholic Orange Bitters in place of the orange bitters to try a booze-free version of this drink.
Shop Glassware & Tools
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More Classic Cocktails
If you like this classic cocktail recipe, here are a few others we’ve tried that you may enjoy:
Mint Julep: A bourbon cocktail made with mint and simple syrup
Manhattan: A rye cocktail made with sweet vermouth, orange bitters, an orange peel, and a cherry
Clover Club: A gin cocktail made with lemon juice, sugar, egg white, grenadine, a lemon peel, and raspberries
Bee’s Knees: A gin cocktail made with honey syrup, lemon juice, and a lemon wheel
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