Opera Cocktail recipe
A sophisticated 1930s classic pairing dry gin with French apéritif wine and cherry liqueur.
Method: Shake ·
Glass: Coupe glass ·
Time: 3 min ·
Difficulty: Intermediate ·
Family: The Martini Family
Ingredients
- 2 oz Dry gin
- 0.5 oz Dubonnet Rouge
- 0.5 oz Maraschino liqueur
How to make a Opera Cocktail
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
- Add dry gin, Dubonnet Rouge, and maraschino liqueur to the shaker.
- Shake vigorously for fifteen seconds until thoroughly chilled.
- Strain the liquid into a chilled coupe glass.
- Express the oils from an orange peel over the surface and discard or place on the rim.
Garnish
Orange peel twist
Pro tip
Chill your glassware in the freezer beforehand to keep this botanical drink crisp from the first sip to the last.
History of the Opera Cocktail
First documented in Harry Craddock's 1930 publication The Savoy Cocktail Book, the Opera cocktail captures the sophisticated drinking culture of interwar London. The recipe reflects the period's fondness for French apéritif wines combined with classic London dry gin.
Flavour profile
Botanical, Herbal, Dry, Citrus
Variations
- The Threepenny Opera — Substitute cognac for gin and add dry vermouth.
- Mandarine Opera — Substitute orange liqueur or Mandarine Napoléon for maraschino.
- Sweet Opera — Swap dry gin for old Tom gin for a richer profile.
Practise making the Opera Cocktail in the free Virtual Bar game.