Published: · Updated: by Carlos Leo · 14 Comments
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5 from 5 reviews
This Leap Year co*cktail Recipe of gin, Grand Marnier and sweet vermouth will showcase your mixology talent at your home Leap Year co*cktail party. Find out who created it in 1928, what it tastes like, and how to make it perfectly for your guests.
Hello my friends. The much-awaited 2024 leap year is upon us! Doesn't it feel amazing to have an extra day in the year to celebrate life and happiness? Whether you are going to party the leap day away or just Netflix and chill at home, make sure to have a chilled drink to go along with you. We present you with a recipe to prepare the ultimate drink of 2024 – the Leap Year co*cktail.
Related: Gin Violette co*cktail | Blood Orange Vodka Soda co*cktail
This well-rounded martini alternative has been around for a while and is a complete favorite among co*cktail lovers. It was first created in 1928 by the bartender Harry Craddock at the Savoy Hotel in London. Coincidentally, 1928 was a leap year too and hence the name. As a perfect blend of flavors, this co*cktail needs to be relished more than once every four years. In the history of co*cktails, this drink is said to have been responsible for many marriage proposals.
Who was Harry Craddock?
The creator of this delicious drink does need a special mention and a well-deserving introduction. Harry Craddock was a passionate English bartender who gained popularity during his tenure at the Savoy Hotel in London and as an author of The Savoy co*cktail Book. Trained in the US, his signature drinks were the Leap Year and the White Lady.
Preparing the perfect Leap Year co*cktail
Mildly sweet with a touch of bitterness, this tasty drink will soon become your favorite twist of lemon complement. Much to your liking, this well-balanced co*cktail flavor is an easy mix. This co*cktail recipe is extremely simple and quick to put together. With three simple ingredients and a co*cktail shaker, you are ready to get started. The bitter notes of gin are perfectly paired with sweet vermouth and the brandy-based orange sweetness of Grand Marnier; the key ingredients to prepare the drink. Add a tinge of lemon juice to mix it all up and to enhance the underlying citrus flavor. Remember, the shelf life of sweet vermouth is just three months, before using it for the drink, ensure that it's fresh.
Video Instructions
Here's a short video on how to make the Leap Year co*cktail. We use a little more lemon juice than David does.
The orange flavor in the leap year co*cktail definitely warrants a brandy-based, sweet orange liqueur that can only be justly received by using Grand Marnier. Shake these ingredients up with some ice and strain it into a co*cktail glass. Your drink is ready to be served and savored. The flavor notes of this drink are both sweet and bitter, not bittersweet. It does leave a unique after taste in your mouth that can only be cleared up with another sip.
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More Gin co*cktail Recipes
Gin creates the perfect foundation for the best-tasting drinks. Most mixologists will agree that gin is the most versatile co*cktail spirit. Whether you are preparing a complex co*cktail or a plain vanilla one, gin is an interesting category of liquor among co*cktail lovers. If you love gin, can you also try one of our other co*cktail recipes including:
- Bloomsbury Garden co*cktailwhich is rosemary infused gin, elderflower liqueur,fig marmaladeand tonic
- recipe.
You could also try different twists and variations of the leap year co*cktail recipe. If you are up for the challenge, we recommend you try just the gin and sweet vermouth, or replace the orange liqueur with maraschino. When it comes to flavors, these variations are drastically different from one another. But unquestionably the leap year co*cktail is a fan favorite that you must try!Don't forget to serve chilled with a garnish of lemon twist.
If you have any co*cktails you love, or drinks that you heard of and would like us to create the recipe for you, just let us know in the comments below. If you made this leap year co*cktail recipe or another one of our recipes, share your creations with us on social media by tagging us @Spoonabilities on Instagram and on Pinterest.
Wishing you Tasty Happenings,
Carlos Leo
Your Recipe Concierge
Leap Year co*cktail Recipe
5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star
5 from 5 reviews
- Author: Carlos Leo
- Total Time: 2
- Yield: 2 1x
Description
This Leap Year co*cktail Recipe of gin, Grand Marnier & sweet vermouth will showcase your mixology talent at your home Leap Year co*cktail party. In our recipe post, find out who created it in 1928, what it tastes like, and how to make it perfectly for your guests.
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Ingredients
UnitsScale
- 4 oz of gin
- 1 oz. of Grand Marnier
- 1 oz. of sweet vermouth
- ½ oz. of fresh lemon juice
- Garnish: lemon twist
Instructions
- Pour ingredients into a co*cktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake well for 10 seconds and strain into two chilled co*cktail glass.
- Garnish: Twist a piece of lemon peel over the drink and use for garnish.
Notes
Drink responsibly.If you are under the legal drinking age limit for your state or country, this recipe is not for you. Sorry.
- Prep Time: 2
- Category: co*cktails
- Method: shaken
- Cuisine: International
Suggested Ingredients & Equipment
Looking for other similar recipes? Try these:
- Blood Orange Vodka Soda co*cktail
- Grilled Orange Margarita
- Fig Vodka Martini Recipe
- Margarita Slush with Cucumber, Honey, and Thyme
- Grilled Pineapple Mojito
- Bloody Rose Martini
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About Carlos Leo
Hey there, I'm Carlos, a food and drink enthusiast, recipe blogger and Food Photographer. I'm constantly seeking out new flavors, ingredients, and recipes to create unforgettable culinary experiences. I love the creative process of cooking, the way different flavors and textures can come together to create something truly unique. And of course, I'm always eager to pair my dishes with the perfect drinks and co*cktails to elevate the experience even further.
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Eric
Thank you for this recipe, it was one of the first Grand Marnier co*cktails I tried making and it's a keeper!
Separately, I have to ask, do you know where the co*cktail glass from the picture is from? It is so cool!Reply
Carlos Leo
Hello Eric, Thank you for your comment. I tried to look at that glass for you, but it's discontinued. Unfortunately, I was not able to find a similar one available. The brand is Nachtmann from the collection Punk. Sorry that I wasn't able to help. Thank you!
Reply
Priya Lakshminarayan
This is the ideal drink for a leap year weekend! Woohoo!
Reply
Geoffrey @ Spoonabilities
You are quite right Priya. This Leap Year co*cktail IS the ideal drink for a leap year weekend. Enjoy!
Reply
Veena Azmanov
Awesome combination and unique twist too. Picture perfect and presentation superb.
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Geoffrey @ Spoonabilities
Hi Veena. Thank you for the compliments on this Leap Year co*cktail. So glad you like it.
Reply
Anjali
This was such an easy co*cktail to make and tasted great!
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Geoffrey @ Spoonabilities
We LOVE hearing when people make our co*cktails Anjali. Thanks for making this one!
Reply
Dannii
What an amazing co*cktail. I will definitely be making this for our next dinner party.
Reply
Geoffrey @ Spoonabilities
That is wonderful to hear Dannii! This Leap Year co*cktail would be a great addition to your next dinner party.
Reply
Katie
Perfect for parties with friends!
Reply
Geoffrey @ Spoonabilities
Absolutely Katie! Let us know when your next party is and we'll be right over ;)
Reply
Irina
I love this four-ingredient co*cktail recipe. Your pictures are gorgeous: they make me run to the kitchen to mix the co*cktail:)
Reply
Geoffrey @ Spoonabilities
Thanks Irina! We love hearing when our recipes and photos move people to make our dishes and co*cktails. Enjoy!
Reply