London Calling recipe
A crisp, savory modern classic pairing London Dry gin with bone-dry Fino sherry.
Method: Shake and strain ·
Glass: Rocks glass ·
Time: 5 min ·
Difficulty: Advanced ·
Family: The Daiquiri Family
Ingredients
- 45 ml London Dry Gin (Juniper-forward classic expression)
- 15 ml Fino Sherry (Bone-dry and chilled; adds savory depth)
- 20 ml Fresh Lemon Juice (Freshly squeezed and strained)
- 15 ml Simple Syrup (1:1 sugar-to-water ratio)
- 2 dashes Orange Bitters (Regan's or Angostura orange)
How to make a London Calling
- Combine London Dry gin, Fino sherry, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and orange bitters in a cocktail shaker.
- Fill the shaker with cubed ice and shake vigorously for 10 to 12 seconds to chill and dilute properly.
- Double strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve into a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass.
- Express the oils from a fresh pink grapefruit peel over the surface of the drink.
- Garnish the rim with a pristine fresh pink grapefruit twist.
Garnish
the rim with a pristine fresh pink grapefruit twist
Pro tip
Measure carefully, keep the dilution controlled, and serve London Calling as soon as it is cold and balanced.
History of the London Calling
Conceived in 2002 by bartender Chris Jepson during his tenure at London's renowned Milk & Honey bar, the London Calling was originally designed for a cocktail competition sponsored by Drinks International. While often categorized as a contemporary gin sour riff, its inspired incorporation of Fino sherry established a template for sherry-forward mixology that predated the modern global sherry revival by over a decade.
Flavour profile
Boozy, Citrus, Herbal, Sweet
Variations
- Manzanilla Calling — Substitute Fino sherry with crisp, coastal Manzanilla sherry for an even sharper, saline maritime profile.
- Navy Strength Calling — Use high-proof navy strength gin and reduce simple syrup slightly to balance the elevated alcohol backbone.
- Botanical Riff — Infuse the simple syrup with fresh thyme or rosemary to accentuate the herbal green notes of the gin and sherry.
Practise making the London Calling in the free Virtual Bar game.