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Ideal

Classic/vintage

4.0 44 ratings

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Ingredients

5/6 oz Gin
5/6 oz Dry vermouth
5/6 oz Rosso/sweet vermouth
1/6 oz Maraschino liqueur
1/4 oz Pink grapefruit juice

How to make

Serve in a coupe glass

Method

  1. 1 Select and pre-chill a COUPE GLASS.
  2. 2 Prepare garnish of serve with almonds on the side.
  3. 3 SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
  4. 4 FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.

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Flavour profile

17.1% alc./vol. · 1.1 standard drinks · 137 calories

History

A bittersweet profile leaning towards dry and tart, with notes of refreshing grapefruit zest and the dryness of gin botanicals balancing heavier vermouth elements. The maraschino provides a subtle but essential flavour.

The earliest confirmed mention of this cocktail appears in Hugo R. Ensslin's 1917 book, Recipes for Mixed Drinks (second edition). It is possible it was also included in the 1916 first edition. From Ensslin's book: IDEAL COCKTAIL 1/3 Italian vermouth 2/3 Dry Gin 3 dashes Maraschino Juice of a small piece of grapefruit Shake well in a mixing glass with cracked ice, strain and serve. This drink also shows up in Harry Craddock's notable 1930 The Savoy Cocktail Book, similar to many other recipes from Ensslin's collection. A year later, it was featured on the menu of Cuba's Sloppy Joe's Bar for the 1931-32 season. IDEAL COCKTAIL. 3 Dashes Maraschino. 1/3 Italian Vermouth. 2/3 Dry Gin. 1 Teaspoon Grapefruit Juice. Shake well and strain into cocktail glass. Serve small nut in glass. Another variation, simply called IDEAL, is listed as: IDEAL 1 Teaspoon of sugar. 1 Part of Grapefruit juice. 2 Parts of Gin. 1 Part of Noilly Prat Vermouth. Shake with ice, and serve in a tall glass. The version used here originates from the 1937 menu of Bar Florida Cocktails (which was later renamed Floridita) in Havana, Cuba. IDEAL ¼ Grapefruit 1 Teaspoon Maraschino 1/3 Martini Rosso Vermouth 1/3 Noilly Prat Vermouth 1/3 Gordon Gin Cracked Ice. Shake very well and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with a few almonds.