Monkey Gland is a classic cocktail that combines the fresh citrus character of gin and orange juice with the slightly sweet touch of grenadine. A few drops of absinthe give the drink a slightly herbal depth. It is as memorable in the cocktail world for its interesting story as for its name.
The Monkey Gland cocktail originated in the 1920s at the famous Harry's New York Bar in Paris. It is thought to have been created by Harry MacElhone, a famous bartender of the time. The name of the cocktail comes from a strange medical experiment that was very popular at the time. Serge Voronoff, a Russian-French surgeon, advocated transplanting tissue from monkey glands into humans for rejuvenation, an idea that caused a sensation in Europe.
In the wild years of Paris, full of jazz, art and nightlife, this strange scientific trend was on everyone's lips. Harry MacElhone named his newly created cocktail "Monkey Gland" as a humorous reference to this interesting fashion of the time. Thus, the cocktail became the topic of bar conversations with both its flavor and its name.
“In life, sometimes even the strangest ideas can turn into unforgettable stories.”
Over time, Monkey Gland has become a cult drink, especially among classic cocktail enthusiasts. Thanks to its balanced combination of gin and citrus, it offers a drink with both freshness and character. Today, it's not only the taste, but also the colorful story behind it that keeps it on many classic cocktail menus.
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Ingredients
Unit System
45 mlGin
45 mlFresh Orange Juice
10 mlGrenadine
1-2drops of Absinthe
·Ice
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Method
1
Add a lot of ice into the shaker.
2
Add the gin, fresh orange juice and grenadine.
3
Shake well.
4
Strain into a pre-chilled coupe glass.
5
Add 1-2 drops of absinthe to complete the flavor.
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Bartender Tips
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Use fresh orange juice - ready-made juices throw the cocktail out of balance.
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Don't overdo the absinthe - a few drops are enough, otherwise it overpowers the flavor.
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Shake the shaker vigorously - citrus cocktails need a good cooling.
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