20th Century recipe
A balanced gin sour bridging bitter aperitif wine with rich white cacao liqueur.
Method: Shake and fine strain ·
Glass: Chilled coupe glass ·
Time: 4 min ·
Difficulty: Intermediate ·
Family: The Sidecar Family
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz London dry gin
- 0.75 oz Lillet Blanc
- 0.75 oz White crème de cacao
- 0.75 oz Fresh lemon juice
How to make a 20th Century
- Combine London dry gin, Lillet Blanc, white crème de cacao, and fresh lemon juice in a shaker tin.
- Add ice to the shaker and shake vigorously for approximately twelve seconds to chill and dilute.
- Double strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve into a chilled coupe glass.
- Express the essential oils from a lemon peel over the drink and discard or place on the rim as garnish.
Garnish
Garnish with a fresh lemon twist expressed over the surface.
Pro tip
Using a quality white crème de cacao ensures the drink maintains its pale straw hue while delivering chocolate flavor without cloying sweetness. Adjust lemon juice slightly if your Lillet batch runs sweeter.
History of the 20th Century
The 20th Century cocktail emerged during the mid-1930s, often attributed to bartender C.V. Burbridge at the Café Royal in London. Named in honor of the legendary 20th Century Limited passenger train connecting New York and Chicago, this drink pairs dry gin with Lillet Blanc, white crème de cacao, and fresh lemon juice. While popular folklore frequently credits its creation directly to railway celebrations, historical records remain somewhat scarce regarding the exact date, leaving exact attribution open to interpretation by cocktail historians.
Flavour profile
Citrusy, Botanical, Cocoa-kissed, Tart
Variations
- Midnight Express — Substitute reposado tequila for the London dry gin for an earthy, agave-forward backbone.
- Aviation 20th — Add a barspoon of crème de violette alongside the cacao for floral violet aromatics.
Practise making the 20th Century in the free Virtual Bar game.