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Balalaika

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (102)
Balalaika image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 1⁄6 fl oz Cointreau L'Unique triple sec liqueur
5⁄6 fl oz Ketel One Vodka
1⁄2 fl oz Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
1⁄3 fl oz Chilled water/mineral water (optional)

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

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How to make

Glassware

Serve in a Martini glass

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a MARTINI GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of orange zest twist.

Method

  1. SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
  2. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

  1. EXPRESS orange zest twist over the cocktail and use as garnish.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Balalaika contains 137 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.4 standard drinks
  • 20.76% alc./vol. (41.52° proof)
  • 18.9 grams of pure alcohol

Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

History

Adapted from a recipe in Stanley M. Jones' 1977 Jones' Complete Barguide.

BALALAIKA
Cocktail Glass Shake
1 oz vodka
1 oz lemon juice
1/2 oz Cointreau

Stanley M. Jones, 1977

Review

Richly flavoured with orange and lemon.

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$2.76 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 10.5 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


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Comments & Discussion

Tuber Magnatum Premium Member
Was looking for an easy to put together cocktail and found this in Diffords Trinity Cocktail list. As others have mentioned, a very nice drink. In case any one was undecided about the optional water, for this drink I would suggest trying it with out +/- a longer shake. I added the water as my ice is "dry" but found it too dilute for my taste. Having said that, this is a definite repeat but without the extra water.
score: 1
Neil Fordham
When I have made this I use equal amounts of the 3 ingredients. Very moreish!
score: 1
Joseph Nelson Premium Member
I trimmed the lemon down by 5ml (as is my habit with my potent lemons!) and this was a totally delightful beverage that managed to be adroitly balanced. Chipper and tart but not sour. The Triple Sec sweetens the mix perfectly. This is going into my regular rotation!
score: 1
Joshua Perez
Supposedly, the first appearance of the Balalaika was published in the 1965 revised edition of The Savoy Cocktail Book. I haven't been able to confirm this myself, but the Japanese cocktail book 新版 バーテンダーズマニュアル credits it.
score: 1
Joshua Perez
Seems believable as I've found a recipe for it in the 1966 Booth’s Handbook of Cocktails and Mixed Drinks.
https://www.scribd.com/document/408647965/Collectif1806-1966-BOOTH-S-HANDBOOK-OF-COCKTAILS-AND-MIXED-DRINKS-E-pdf#content=query:balalaika,pageNum:83,indexOnPage:0,bestMatch:false
score: 1
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
Thanks, Joshua. I'll investigate and add to the history above.
score: 0
Robert Aitchison
Balanced and with a good citrus hit
score: 3
Miguel Perales Premium Member
Very nice. Citrus, obviously, is the predominant flavor; however, this is not very sour. It is actually very balanced as is. Used Cointreau as my triple sec.
score: 3
Keith Jones
Try swapping the vodka for pisco.
score: 2
David Hoyle
This is certainly citrus-y and slightly sharp, what with the equal proprtion of lemon juice. Based on an old 80s cocktail book recipe, I have also tried this with Curaçao - Giffard's is a lovely opaque orange colour, and find its more complex flavour goes very well with the vodka and lemon. To my taste, the De Kuyper Triple Sec version ideally needs a little sugar syrup.
score: 4
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
Agreed, the classic recipe either needs sugar syrup or rebalancing. Hopefully, the amended recipe above fits the bill.
score: 2
David Hoyle
Correction: the Giffard is an attractive transparent orange Curaçao (not opaque). Thanks for the notification - the newly rebalanced ingredients look to be a very enticing proposition!
score: 2
Vilma Vantola
Very citrusy, love it!
score: 2
Anisa Cook
Add 15ml of simple syrup to cut through the bitterness of the lemon ☺️
score: 3

View 10 comments and discussion

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Difford’s Shop logo
$2.76 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 10.5 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

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