Damn the Weather recipe
A bright Prohibition-era gin cocktail blending sweet vermouth, orange juice, and zesty curaçao.
Method: Shake and fine strain ·
Glass: Chilled coupe glass ·
Time: 3 min ·
Difficulty: Beginner ·
Family: The Sidecar Family
Ingredients
- 45 ml London Dry Gin (preferred high-proof botanical gin)
- 22.5 ml Sweet vermouth (rich rosso vermouth)
- 15 ml Fresh orange juice (freshly squeezed and strained)
- 7.5 ml Orange curaçao (dry orange liqueur)
How to make a Damn the Weather
- Chill a cocktail coupe in the freezer or fill it with ice water.
- Add the London dry gin, sweet vermouth, fresh orange juice, and orange curaçao to a cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes.
- Shake vigorously for 10 to 12 seconds to chill and dilute the mixture properly.
- Fine strain the liquid through a mesh strainer into the chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish with a fresh orange twist and serve immediately.
Garnish
Garnish with a thin orange wheel or fresh orange twist resting on the rim.
Pro tip
Using freshly squeezed orange juice rather than bottled is essential to prevent the drink from tasting heavy or cloying. Adjust the orange curaçao slightly depending on the sweetness of your sweet vermouth.
History of the Damn the Weather
First documented in Harry Craddock’s landmark 1930 publication, The Savoy Cocktail Book, the Damn the Weather cocktail emerged during the height of American Prohibition. While oral lore frequently attributes its catchy name to frustrated bartenders or weary travelers complaining about gloomy weather, historians note that Prohibition-era cocktail nomenclature often played on contemporary slang and colloquialisms. The recipe bridges the gap between classic gin sours and fortified wine aperitifs, pairing botanical spirits with rich vermouth and citrus.
Flavour profile
Citrusy, Herbal, Bittersweet, Botanical
Variations
- Damn the Bloody Weather — Subs blood orange juice for standard orange juice to add a tart berry complexity and deep ruby hue.
- Damn the Apple Weather — Swaps orange juice for cloudy fresh apple cider, evoking autumnal orchard tasting notes.
Practise making the Damn the Weather in the free Virtual Bar game.