The Puritan Cocktail is a spirit-forward drink that’s halfway between a Martini and an Alaska. Here’s how to make the classic cocktail.
The Puritan Cocktail – Photo © Cocktails & Bars
The Puritan is said to be a predecessor to the dry Martini. Unlike another predecessor, the Alaska Cocktail which combines gin and Yellow Chartreuse with orange bitters, it is a spirit-driven drink that combines gin with dry vermouth and Yellow Chartreuse.
According to this source, the Puritan first appeared in a book published in 1900 entitled The Cocktail Book: A Sideboard Manual for Gentlemen by Fredrick L. Knowles. The cocktail is also featured in the 1934 edition of Boothby’s World Drinks and How to Mix Them:
PURITAN
Gin…. 1/2 jigger
Fr. vermouth…. 1/4 jigger
Chartreuse… 2 spoons
Orange bitters…. 2 dashes
Shake well with ice, strain into a chilled cocktail glass and serve.
The Puritan Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 60ml gin
- 30ml dry vermouth
- 7ml Yellow Chartreuse
- 1 dash orange bitters
Glassware: Nick and Nora
Garnish: lemon twist
Method
Combine all the ingredients in a mixing glass. Stir over ice and strain into a chilled Nick and Nora glass. Express the lemon twist over the surface of the drink and drop it into the glass.
