20th Century

Origin and History

The 20th Century cocktail was created by C.A. Tuck in honor of the 20th Century Limited train line, a luxurious express train that ran between New York and Chicago from 1902 to 1967. This cocktail first appeared in Café Royal Cocktail Book (1937) by William J. Tarling. The 20th Century is a striking blend of gin, Lillet Blanc, crème de cacao, and lemon juice—a curious but harmonious combination of ingredients that captured the excitement and innovation of the era.

Its creation symbolizes the spirit of modernity and forward-thinking that defined the early 20th century, and it was considered a reflection of the elegance and sophistication of the train itself. Despite its unusual mix of flavors, the cocktail has persisted as a beloved choice for those who appreciate complex, balanced drinks with a touch of whimsy.

Flavour Profile

Smooth and balanced, the 20th Century combines the floral and herbal notes of gin with the rich sweetness of crème de cacao, while the Lillet Blanc adds a dry, citrusy edge. The lemon juice brightens the drink, creating a zesty, chocolatey flavor that is both unique and approachable.

How to Serve

Chill and pour into a coupe glass. Garnish with a lemon twist to enhance the citrus aroma and provide a refreshing contrast to the drink’s richness. The 20th Century’s complex blend of flavors makes it perfect for those who appreciate a multi-layered, luxurious cocktail experience.

Aviation

Origin and History

The Aviation was created by Hugo Ensslin, head bartender at the Hotel Wallick in New York City, in the early 1900s. The cocktail first appeared in print in Ensslin’s Recipes for Mixed Drinks in 1916. Named for its sky-blue color, which comes from the inclusion of crème de violette, the Aviation was a striking and unique cocktail for its time.

Though it faded from popularity during the mid-20th century, the Aviation has made a comeback in recent years as bartenders have embraced its floral, citrusy profile. It’s now a favorite among those looking for a gin cocktail with a delicate and complex flavor.

Flavour Profile

The Aviation is light, floral, and citrus-forward, with the crème de violette providing a subtle sweetness and a hint of violet. The gin’s botanicals shine through, while the lemon juice adds a bright tartness that balances the drink.

How to Serve

Chill and pour into a coupe glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry for a pop of color, or a lemon twist for a refreshing citrus aroma. Its pale violet hue makes it a visually stunning cocktail, perfect for any occasion.

Stunning small-batch gin from our low-temperature vacuum still, capturing the essence of the finest juniper, English coriander, fresh organic oranges, fennel and cardamom.

 A luxurious, complex, smooth gin, as English as the hedgerows surrounding our distillery.

Enjoy neat, over ice, or go your own way.

Dunhill Special

Origin and History

The Dunhill Special is a tribute to the sophistication and style synonymous with the Dunhill brand, originally known for luxury tobacco and accessories. First crafted in the mid-20th century, this cocktail found fame in the circles of high society, particularly those who frequented the upscale bars of London. The recipe made its debut in Punch magazine, a satirical publication that also occasionally dabbled in the world of cocktails, where the Dunhill Special became a hallmark of understated luxury. Though not directly tied to Alfred Dunhill, the drink reflects the brand’s sleek, elegant aesthetic.

The cocktail has evolved over the years, but the combination of gin with vermouth and a touch of orange liqueur has remained a consistent nod to its rich heritage. It’s a drink that has weathered changing tastes and trends, securing a place in modern cocktail culture as a symbol of elegance and sophistication.

Flavour Profile

Bright and slightly bitter, the Dunhill Special features a smooth blend of dry gin and sweet vermouth, with hints of orange from the liqueur adding depth. The drink is sophisticated, with an aromatic, slightly sweet finish that lingers on the palate.

How to Serve

Serve in a chilled coupe glass. No ice in the glass allows for a pure, unadulterated sipping experience.

Gimlet

Origin and History

The Gimlet is often attributed to Sir Thomas Gimlette, a British naval surgeon who purportedly created the cocktail in the late 19th century as a way to encourage sailors to consume lime juice, which helped prevent scurvy. By the early 20th century, the Gimlet had become popular not just among sailors but also in the burgeoning world of cocktails. The drink made its way into the cocktail canon with its first recorded appearance in The Savoy Cocktail Book (1930) by Harry Craddock, cementing its status as a classic gin-based drink.

It was originally made with equal parts gin and Rose’s lime cordial, which had become a common ingredient due to its long shelf life and tart sweetness. Our serve uses Oude’s own lime cordial and vacuum distilled lime juice for a brighter, more modern take, but the essence of the cocktail remains the same—simple, refreshing, and sharply citrusy.

Flavour Profile

Tart and crisp, the Gimlet is a refreshing cocktail that marries the botanicals of gin with the sharp, zesty notes of lime. The sweetness from the lime cordial (or sugar in modern versions) balances out the sharp acidity, making it a smooth yet vibrant drink.

How to Serve

Serve in a chilled coupe or over ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with a lime wheel or wedge for a final touch of citrus that enhances the aroma of the drink. A simple yet elegant cocktail that pairs well with a sophisticated, minimalist presentation.

Gloria

Origin and History

The Gloria cocktail has its roots in the mid-20th century, first appearing in Victor “Trader Vic” Bergeron’s 1947 Bartender’s Guide book. Trader Vic, one of the pioneers of tiki culture, was known for his tropical and exotic concoctions. However, the Gloria stands apart from his rum-based tiki drinks. It was a gin cocktail that embodied a more straightforward, refined style, balancing European influences with the emerging American cocktail culture of the time.

Though not as widely known as some of his more famous tiki drinks, the Gloria exemplified the versatility of Trader Vic’s bartending repertoire. The drink likely gained popularity due to its refreshing simplicity, offering a more citrus-driven, botanical alternative to the heavier tropical cocktails that Trader Vic was famous for.

Flavour Profile

Light, crisp, and refreshing, the Gloria combines the floral and herbal complexity of gin with bright citrus notes. It’s a balanced cocktail, with just enough sweetness to soften the gin’s sharper edges, creating a drink that’s both elegant and easy to enjoy and appeal to both Negroni and Martini lovers.

How to Serve

Chill and pour into a coupe glass. Garnish with a lemon twist or a sprig of mint to bring out the fresh citrus aromas.

Last Word

Origin and History

The Last Word cocktail hails from Prohibition-era Detroit, where it was first served at the Detroit Athletic Club in the 1920s. Despite its early popularity, the recipe was nearly forgotten until it resurfaced in Ted Saucier’s 1951 book, Bottoms Up. It wasn’t until the 21st century that the Last Word found new life, thanks to the craft cocktail movement, where bartenders rediscovered its perfect balance of gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice.

This equal-parts cocktail has become a beloved staple in modern bars, offering a unique combination of herbal, sweet, and tart flavors that appeal to adventurous drinkers.

Flavour Profile

Herbaceous, tart, and slightly sweet, the Last Word balances the gin’s botanicals with the complex, earthy notes of Chartreuse and the cherry sweetness of maraschino. The fresh lime juice adds a bright, zesty kick, making it a perfectly balanced cocktail with layers of flavor.

How to Serve

Pour into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a lime wheel or twist to complement the citrus and herbal aromas. Serve it chilled to let the flavors shine without overpowering one another.

Martinez

Origin and History

The Martinez is often regarded as the precursor to the Martini, though its origins remain somewhat murky. Credited to the legendary bartender Jerry Thomas, this cocktail first appeared in his Bartender’s Guide in 1887, though some say it dates back earlier to the 1860s, when Thomas supposedly invented it for a customer en route to the town of Martinez, California. The Martinez represents the shift from heavier, whiskey-based drinks to the lighter, gin-based cocktails that would dominate the late 19th century.

The cocktail is built on the foundation of gin mixed with sweet vermouth and a splash of maraschino liqueur for balance. This complex drink embodies the transition between the old world of cocktail-making and the emergence of a new, gin-forward era that still influences modern bartending.

Flavour Profile

Sweet, rich, and deeply complex, the Martinez combines the floral and herbal notes of gin with the fruitiness of maraschino liqueur and the richness of sweet vermouth. The result is a cocktail that is both smooth and slightly sweet with a nuanced depth that unfolds as you sip.

How to Serve

Serve in a coupe glass. Garnish with a lemon twist for a bright citrus aroma that enhances the drink’s sweetness. It’s traditionally served without ice, allowing the flavors to fully develop as it warms slightly in the glass.

Negroni

Origin and History

The Negroni is one of the most iconic cocktails in the world, born in 1919 at Caffè Casoni in Florence, Italy. It was created when Count Camillo Negroni asked the bartender, Fosco Scarselli, to make his usual Americano (a mix of Campari, sweet vermouth, and soda water) stronger by replacing the soda water with gin. The resulting cocktail was named after the Count, and it quickly gained popularity, particularly in Italy’s aristocratic circles.

The Negroni represents the epitome of balance—its equal-parts recipe ensures that no one ingredient overpowers the others. The drink first appeared in print in the 1920s and became an international classic as it traveled across Europe and eventually to America, where it has found renewed popularity in the modern cocktail renaissance.

Flavour Profile

Bold and bittersweet, the Negroni balances the herbaceous gin, the bitter, citrusy notes of Campari, and the rich sweetness of vermouth. It’s an intense, flavorful cocktail with a lingering bitter finish that invites another sip.

How to Serve

Serve the Negroni in a rocks glass over a large ice cube to slow dilution, then garnish with an orange peel, expressing the oils over the top for a burst of citrus aroma that complements the bittersweet flavors. The drink's simplicity in presentation belies its complex, layered taste.

Sweet Martini

Origin and History

The Sweet Martini is a classic variation of the Martini, and its history is tied to the evolving preferences for sweeter cocktails in the early 20th century. Ryan Chetiyawardana, also known as Mr. Lyan, revitalized the Sweet Martini in his book Cocktails at Home. While the dry Martini is the most famous variation, the Sweet Martini harks back to the early days of cocktail culture, offering a more rounded and accessible flavor profile.

This version of the Martini became popular during the jazz era, when sweeter vermouths were often preferred over dry styles. It evokes the glamour of old-school cocktail lounges, and thanks to Mr. Lyan’s modern twist, it has found new life in contemporary bars, appealing to those who want a Martini with a bit more depth and sweetness.

Flavour Profile

The Sweet Martini offers a rich, smooth blend of botanicals from the gin, complemented by the full-bodied, slightly sugary notes of sweet vermouth. The sweetness adds warmth and balance, making it a lush, velvety alternative to the sharper dry Martini.

How to Serve

Serve in a chilled Martini glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry or a twist of lemon for added flair. Its rich, polished presentation makes it the perfect drink for those looking for a classic with a touch of indulgence.