Fog Cutter recipe
A legendary Trader Vic tiki classic packing four base spirits and a creamy sherry float.
Method: Shake and strain over crushed ice ·
Glass: Tall chimney glass ·
Time: 5 min ·
Difficulty: Advanced ·
Family: Tiki & Tropical
Ingredients
- 1 oz Light rum (Column-still or light aged rum)
- 0.5 oz Cognac (VS or VSOP)
- 0.5 oz London Dry gin (Juniper-forward)
- 1.5 oz Fresh citrus juice (Equal parts lemon and orange)
- 0.5 oz Orgeat syrup (Almond-based liqueur)
- 0.5 oz Oloroso sherry (Floated on top)
How to make a Fog Cutter
- Combine the light rum, cognac, gin, citrus juices, and orgeat in a cocktail shaker with crushed ice.
- Shake vigorously for approximately 10 seconds to chill and dilute the multi-spirit blend.
- Strain the mixture into a tall chimney glass filled with fresh crushed ice.
- Carefully pour the oloroso sherry over the back of a barspoon to create a float on top.
- Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and serve with a straw.
Garnish
Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and an orange wheel.
Pro tip
Do not skip the oloroso sherry float, as its nutty dryness cuts through the rich fruit juices and sweet orgeat. Respect the drink's historic potency and pace yourself accordingly.
History of the Fog Cutter
Invented by Victor J. Bergeron—better known as Trader Vic—in the 1940s at his iconic San Francisco restaurant, the Fog Cutter quickly gained legendary status for its formidable potency. Early iterations of the drink earned a reputation as so deceptively strong that establishments famously enforced a strict two-drink limit per guest. While Bergeron popularized the modern template blending rum, gin, brandy, and a sherry float, some cocktail historians suggest the drink evolved from earlier multi-spirit punches served in West Coast bohemian bars. Regardless of its exact lineage, it remains a defining masterpiece of mid-century tropical mixology.
Flavour profile
Nutty, Citrusy, Complex, Tropical
Variations
- Pisco Fog Cutter — Substitute pisco for the brandy and rum base for a South American profile.
- Navy Fog Cutter — Use overproof navy rum as the primary spirit base for added punch.
Practise making the Fog Cutter in the free Virtual Bar game.