Profile
Satan’s Whiskers sounds like a novelty drink, but it is a genuine classic from the early 20th century, recorded in the Savoy Cocktail Book of 1930. It is built like a Perfect Martini that went for brunch: gin with equal parts dry and sweet vermouth, fresh orange juice and a splash of orange liqueur, shaken and served up with a slice of orange.
The result is bright, gently bittersweet and far more elegant than its devilish name suggests. The gin keeps it crisp, the two vermouths add herbal depth and a little richness, and the orange juice and liqueur give it a sunny citrus lift. Classic recipes come in two styles, “straight” with Grand Marnier and “curled” with orange curaçao. This version splits the difference with Grand Marnier plus a touch of triple sec.
Glass: Cocktail glass | Strength: Medium | Serves: 1 | Prep Time: 5 minutes
Bartenders tip: Use fresh-squeezed orange juice, since it makes up a big share of the drink. Keep your vermouths in the fridge and replace them within a month or so, because tired vermouth goes flat and dull. A dash of orange bitters, found in many classic versions, adds a nice extra layer if you have a bottle.
Ingredients
- 1 oz Gin
- 1 oz Dry Vermouth
- 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
- 1 oz Orange Juice
- 1/2 oz Grand Marnier
- 1 tsp Triple Sec
- Orange Slice, for garnish
Steps
- Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake well.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with an orange slice and serve.
