Pegu Club Cocktail Recipe

Pegu club cocktail is a gin-based Margarita or Daiquiri that packs a strong punch and is ideal for those looking to indulge in classic, old-timey flavors.

Pegu Club cocktail has an herbal and citrusy finish. Unlike other gin cocktails of its time, it doesn’t sweeten the mix with syrups or sugar. Instead, it lets its citrus profile take control, creating a slightly tart yet balanced drink.

But for those looking for a less tangy taste, the Pegu Club mixes well with syrups in its more modern variations.

Pegu Club Cocktail Ingredients

This classic recipe calls for:

• 2 Ounces Gin
• 1 Dash Angostura Bitters
• 1 Dash Orange Bitters
• 3/4 Ounces of Orange Curacao
• 1/4 Ounce of Fresh Lime Juice

2 Ounces Gin

This recipe uses gin, particularly one with stronger citrus notes that can help complement the other flavors in the cocktail. If you want to control the citrus profile, you can also opt for one with a more floral taste.

London Dry Gin is the go-to for this recipe, but feel free to swap it for your favorite bottle.

1 Dash Angostura Bitters

Angostura bitters are present in anything from a Manhattan to a Whiskey Sour. This secret blend of herbs and spices helps balance the other ingredients in the Pegu Club.

You can also use other aromatic bitters to change the taste profile.

1 Dash Orange Bitters

Orange bitters give the Pegu Club a distinct citrus taste, though not everyone’s a fan of their flavor because of their blend of spices like cardamom and anise.

If that’s you, swap the orange bitters for another dash of Angostura bitters. You’ll get plenty more citrus from the lime juice and orange liqueur.

3/4 Ounces of Orange Curaçao

Pegu Club needs a type of orange liqueur, usually Orange Curaçao, thanks to its dry finish.

But you can replace it with:

• Triple Sec: Hasan exceptionally sweet and strong orange taste. Use it if you want a sweet cocktail;
• Cointreau: A type of triple sec that cuts back on sweetness and provides a more balanced taste;
• Grand Marnier: Blended with cognac and has a more complex flavor than other orange liqueurs.

1/2 Ounce Fresh Lime Juice

The original recipe that was first published in the ABC of Mixing Cocktails by Harry McElhone used a specific brand of preserved lime juice instead of fresh.

Later texts, like the Savoy Cocktail Book by Harry Craddock, dropped the brand entirely and recommended fresh juice, which is what’s used even today.

You’re free to choose either, though fresh juice can provide a stronger taste and has little sugar.

Pegu Club Cocktail Recipe

• Mix: add all your ingredients to a cocktail shaker and fill it with ice. Shake vigorously until the drink is well chilled;
• Add to cocktail glass: strain into a chilled cocktail glass or chilled coupe;
• Garnish: If you like, you can garnish with a lime wedge.

If you don’t have the tools for mixing cocktails, you can replace the shaker with a mason jar and strain the Pegu Club using a small mesh strainer.

Pegu Club Cocktail Variations

If you want to make slight changes to the original formula, you can skip Cointreau or other orange bitters and add a dash more aromatic bitters for a smoother, more herbal blend.

You can also add simple syrup (sugar and water) if you want to balance out the sourness of the lime. Some modern recipes also play with other fruit profiles, such as blueberry or raspberry, to give this drink an extra refreshing layer next to the lime.

Other Popular Cocktails

Love the pegu club cocktail? You might also like the following cocktails:

• Sex on the Beach
• Whiskey Sour
• Porn Star Martini
• Old Fashioned
• Vodka Martini Cocktail
• Espresso Martini
• White Russian
• Moscow Mule
• Bloody Mary
• Mint Julep
• Manhattan Cocktail
• John Collins Cocktail
• New York Sour
• Cosmopolitan Cocktail
• Vodka Gimlet

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