Turf Cocktail

An early variation on the classic Martini.

There are several versions of the Turf Cocktail (sometimes called the Turf Club), each a slightly different variation on the Martini. The earliest of these recipes can be traced to George Winter’s How to Mix Drinks from 1884, and is a relatively simple mix of Old Tom gin, sweet vermouth and bitters. Harry Johnson’s version, from 1900, calls instead for a mix of gin, maraschino, bitters and absinthe, which we’ve updated here for the modern palate.

Ingredients

Serving: 1

  • 1 1/2 ounces gin
  • 1 1/2 ounces gin
  • 1 1/2 ounces dry vermouth
  • 1 1/2 ounces dry vermouth
  • 1 barspoon maraschino liqueur
  • 1 barspoon maraschino liqueur
  • 3 dashes orange bitters
  • 3 dashes orange bitters
  • absinthe, to rinse the glass
  • absinthe, to rinse the glass

Garnish: lemon peel

Directions
  1. Add all ingredients, except for absinthe, to a mixing glass.
  2. Add ice and stir until chilled.
  3. Strain into a chilled Nick & Nora glass rinsed with absinthe.
  4. Garnish with a lemon peel.

Drink with us.

Get our freshest features and recipes weekly.