Lucien Gaudin recipe
An exquisite French aperitif blending gin, dry vermouth, Campari, and Cointreau.
Method: Stir and strain ·
Glass: Chilled coupe glass ·
Time: 3 min ·
Difficulty: Intermediate ·
Family: The Martini Family
Ingredients
- 30 ml London Dry Gin (or botanical gin)
- 22.5 ml Dry vermouth (chilled)
- 22.5 ml Campari (bitter aperitivo)
- 22.5 ml Cointreau (triple sec orange liqueur)
How to make a Lucien Gaudin
- Add the London dry gin, dry vermouth, Campari, and Cointreau to a mixing glass filled with ice.
- Stir briskly for thirty seconds to thoroughly chill and dilute the mixture.
- Strain the liquid into a pre-chilled coupe glass.
- Express the essential oils from an orange peel over the surface and discard or place on the rim.
Garnish
Garnish with an orange twist expressed over the surface.
Pro tip
Adjust the dry vermouth slightly depending on how bone-dry you prefer the finish. Using a high-proof gin ensures the botanical structure cuts cleanly through the assertive bitterness of Campari and rich orange sweetness of Cointreau.
History of the Lucien Gaudin
Named after the legendary French Olympic fencing champion Lucien Gaudin, this sophisticated cocktail emerged during the interwar golden age of Parisian cocktail culture. While popular lore often attributes its creation to Harry McElhone at Harry's New York Bar in Paris during the 1920s, documentary evidence remains somewhat disputed, with some historians suggesting earlier roots in Parisian drinking circles. The drink functions as a fascinating cross between a Negroni and a dry martini, swapping sweet vermouth for dry vermouth while introducing a complex measure of orange liqueur alongside Campari.
Flavour profile
bitter, citrus, botanical, crisp
Variations
- Lucien Gaudin No. 2 — Substitute orange Curaçao for Cointreau and add a dash of orange bitters for a deeper, more historic liqueur profile.
- Smoky Lucien Gaudin — Swap half of the London dry gin with mezcal to introduce a subtle earthy smoke that anchors the bitter-citrus elements.
Practise making the Lucien Gaudin in the free Virtual Bar game.