Army & Navy recipe
A sophisticated gin sour balancing bright citrus with rich almond and aromatic bitters.
Method: Shake ·
Glass: Coupe glass ·
Time: 3 min ·
Difficulty: Beginner ·
Family: The Sidecar Family
Ingredients
- 2 oz London Dry gin
- 3/4 oz Fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 oz Orgeat syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
How to make a Army & Navy
- Chill a coupe glass in the freezer for ten minutes.
- Combine the gin, fresh lemon juice, orgeat syrup, and Angostura bitters in a shaker tin.
- Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake vigorously for twelve seconds.
- Double strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve into the chilled coupe glass.
- Express the essential oils from a fresh pink grapefruit peel over the drink and place it on the rim.
Garnish
Grapefruit twist
Pro tip
Use artisanal orgeat crafted from real almonds and orange flower water to achieve a velvety mouthfeel and authentic nutty depth.
History of the Army & Navy
First documented in Hugo Ensslin's 1917 cocktail guide, the Army & Navy's precise invention remains disputed, with some historians attributing its name to a military club and others to the annual collegiate football game. Modern bartenders still keep Army & Navy in circulation because the recipe shows a clear point of view without needless decoration.
Flavour profile
Citrus, Nutty, Balanced
Variations
- Navy Strength Army & Navy — Replace standard London Dry gin with 57% ABV Navy strength gin for higher proof intensity.
- Macadamia Army & Navy — Substitute traditional almond orgeat with rich macadamia nut syrup for a buttery twist.
- Spiced Pear Army & Navy — Introduce half an ounce of pear liqueur alongside the orgeat to add autumnal orchard fruit notes.
Practise making the Army & Navy in the free Virtual Bar game.