When it comes to gin cocktails, the Floradora doesn’t receive much attention. Most people think of a gimlet, martini, or another one of the classic gin cocktails. The Floradora might be one of the best-kept secrets. It is one of those cocktails that, after sampling, people’s eyes light up and they ask what it is. So if you’re someone who enjoys an under the radar cocktail, the Floradora may be the perfect cocktail to order. The drink itself is named after a comedic musical of the same name that opened in London’s West End back in 1899. It then hit Broadway in 1900. One of the cast members asked a local New York bartender to make up a drink for the cast. So, naturally, he used the popular spirit of the time (gin) and named it after the comedy.
The Floradora is as refreshing as it is beautiful to look at. It’s the perfect summer cocktail or when you want to add a fresh infusion into a traditional gin cocktail. It’s also a cocktail that takes non-gin drinkers by surprise. There are those who may not like the juniper or floral taste of a gin cocktail. This is the kind of cocktail that may change their mind.
Floradora - The Perfect Classic Recipe
Prep time
3 Minutes
Serves
1
DESCRIPTION
The Floradora is as refreshing as it is beautiful to look at. It’s the perfect summer cocktail or when you want to add a fresh infusion into a traditional gin cocktail. It’s also a cocktail that takes non-gin drinkers by surprise. There are those who may not like the juniper or floral taste of a gin cocktail. This is the kind of cocktail that may change their mind.
INGREDIENTS
2oz Gin
1oz lime juice
1oz raspberry syrup/liqueur
Ginger Ale
Garnish with raspberries
INSTRUCTIONS
To make the Floradora you’ll want to add ice to a shaker, then pour in the gin, syrup and lime juice. It is up to you whether you use a raspberry syrup or raspberry liqueur. You may want to experiment with the two to see what works better. The syrup will likely be tarter and heavier while the liqueur will likely be a tad stronger, but it’s ultimately up to you.
After you have shaken the mixture pour into a Collins glass that is filled with ice, then fill to the top with ginger ale. The ginger ale gives an excellent infusion of carbonation to the beverage. The ginger also works exceptionally well with the flavor of the cocktail.
Once set, garnish with raspberries. If you’re serving the drink during the summer or for a party you can consider swapping in frozen raspberries. This is a great way to keep the drink cold without using as much ice.
NUTRITION FACTS
calories - 218
carbohydrate - 24g
fat - 0g
fiber - 2g
protein - 0g
sodium - 11mg
Best Gin For a Floradora
The best gin for a Floradora is really up to you. As you are using a sweet raspberry and ginger ale you’ll likely want a cleaner, mellow gin. These other flavors will mask much of the juniper taste, so a gin without the heavy juniper flavor, such as Beefeater, may be your best option. As the cocktail is just half gin and there is a good amount of sugar you don’t need to splurge on expensive gins. This is another reason why Beefeater is beneficial as it is an affordable option.
Of course, you should always test out different gins and even visit local distilleries for small batch gins.
Floradora Variations
As Floradora is a relatively unknown cocktail there are not many variations to it. However, you can always tweak and alter the gin cocktail to fit your unique taste needs.
Henry's Floradora
The Henyr’s Floradora variation takes the traditional cocktail and adds a number of additional ingredients. While it maintains the raspberry syrup and ginger ale, it builds on top of the cocktail with everything from creme de framboise (which is a raspberry-based cream beverage), plus triple sec and others. In a way, it gives you a raspberry cream taste to the cocktail.
If you’re looking for even more cocktail inspiration, be sure to check out our cocktail section on the website for even more delicious drink ideas. Happy sipping!
3 Minutes
1