Millionaire No.1

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (28 ratings)

Photographed in an UB Retro Coupe 1920 7.75oz

Ingredients:
34 oz Jamaican-style overproof aged pot still rum
34 oz Hayman's Sloe Gin
34 oz Luxardo Apricot Albicocca Liqueur
23 oz Lime juice (freshly squeezed)
16 oz Monin Grenadine Syrup
× 1 1 serving
Read about cocktail measures and measuring

How to make:

  1. Select and pre-chill a Coupe glass.
  2. Prepare garnish of lime or apricot slice/wedge.
  3. SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
  4. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.
  5. Garnish with lime or apricot slice/wedge on rim.

Strength & taste guide:

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Strength 8/10
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Sweet to sour 6/10

Review:

High proof pot still rum funk, along with a decent quality apricot brandy and sloe gin is key to the success of this full-flavoured red cocktail.

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History:

Recipe adapted from Harry Craddock's 1930 The Savoy Cocktail Book. Craddock also lists a "Millionaire Cocktail (No.2)" as follows:
"1 Dash Anisette
The white of 1 Egg
1/3 Absinthe
2/3 Dry gin
Shake well and strain into cocktail glass."

In his 1948 The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks, David Embury's says "At some bars a drink served under the name of "Millionaire" which consists of lime juice, slow gin, and apricot brandy, with a few dashes of Jamaica rum. Since the sloe gin, which is a liqueur, predominates in this drink, I do not regard it as a true cocktail." Embury is more complimentary of what he calls a "Millionaire Royal", proclaiming it to be "a very satisfactory drink."

Nutrition:

One serving of Millionaire No.1 contains 186 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.4 standard drinks
  • 20.75% alc./vol. (20.75° proof)
  • 19.2 grams of pure alcohol

Difford’s Guide remains free-to-use thanks to the support of the brands in green above. Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

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Caspian Berggren’s Avatar Caspian Berggren
20th January at 20:00
The sloe, apricot and crucially a high ester Jamaican rum really create magic in this cocktail. Not sure if you can distinguish the grenadine though, but at least it adds a pretty colour and some sweetness.
G. M. Genovese’s Avatar G. M. Genovese
13th June 2021 at 21:27
Arguably one of the better showcase cocktails for Smith & Cross. Missing some saline or bitters, perhaps, but still a winner.
John Hinojos’ Avatar John Hinojos
6th June 2021 at 00:37
Was expecting this to be very sweet, but it is actually very well balanced. The combinations work perfectly together. Great summer alternative to a martini-type aperitif.