Army and Navy - An elegant classic cocktail made with a balance of gin, lemon and almond flavored orgeat syrup. With its sour and aromatic character, it is one of the most special members of the classic sour family.
The Army and Navy cocktail is named after the two institutions that represent the military forces of the United States: Army and Navy. The emergence of this cocktail is often attributed to the 1940s and the famous bar culture in Los Angeles. It was first mentioned in David A. Embury's classic cocktail book The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks.
Although the name of the cocktail evokes a strong competition, the ingredients are very balanced and elegant. It is basically a sour cocktail, which means it consists of a strong base spirit, fresh citrus and sweetener. But what makes Army and Navy different is the use of orgeat syrup as a sweetener. This almond-based syrup gives the cocktail both a light sweetness and a characteristic aromatic depth.
“Real power sometimes lies not in noise, but in the right balance.”
Orgeat syrup is an old bar ingredient used especially in tiki cocktails and some classic recipes. The almond flavor, combined with the lively acidity of the lemon, gives the cocktail a very rich structure. Gin creates a clean and herbal base on which these flavors are built.
The Army and Navy cocktail was forgotten from time to time over the years, and then rediscovered when classic cocktails became popular again. Especially in modern cocktail bars, this cocktail has started to appear on menus again with the reinterpretation of old recipes.
Today, the Army and Navy is considered one of the classic cocktails that, despite its simplicity, offers a highly sophisticated balance. With every sip, the freshness of lemon, the soft aroma of almonds and the herbal character of gin are felt together.
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Ingredients
Unit System
45 mlGin
25 mlFresh Lemon Juice
15 mlOrgeat Syrup (Almond Syrup)
2 DashAngostura Bitter
SomeIce
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Method
1
Add gin, fresh lemon juice and orgeat syrup to the shaker.
2
Add Angostura bitters.
3
Shake vigorously with plenty of ice.
4
Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe glass.
5
Serve with a lemon peel or cherry, if desired.
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Bartender Tips
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Freshly squeezed lemon juice determines the freshness of the cocktail.
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A quality orgeat syrup makes the almond flavor more pronounced.
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Shaking the shaker vigorously reveals the silky texture of the cocktail.
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