Skip advertisement Advertisement

Union Club

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (91)
Union Club image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
2 fl oz Bourbon whiskey
1/4 fl oz Cointreau L'Unique triple sec liqueur
1/2 fl oz Lime juice (freshly squeezed)
1/6 fl oz Monin Almond (Orgeat) Syrup
1/6 fl oz Monin Grenadine Syrup
1/2 fl oz Egg white (pasteurised) or Fee Brothers Fee Foam cocktail foamer

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

Difford’s Guide remains free-to-use thanks to the support of the brands in green above.

How to make

Glassware

Serve in a Coupe glass

Prepare

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

Method

  1. SHAKE all ingredients with ice and strain back into shaker.
  2. DRY SHAKE (without ice).
  3. 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 Union Club contains 207 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.7 standard drinks
  • 20.53% alc./vol. (41.05° proof)
  • 23.7 grams of pure alcohol

Allergens:

Recipe contains the following allergens:

  • Orgeat (almond) sugar syrup (2:1) — Nuts
  • Egg white (pasteurised) — Eggs

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

Skip advertisement Advertisement

History

Adapted from a recipe in David A. Embury's 1948 The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks.

UNION CLUB
1 part Orange Curaçao
2 parts Lime juice
8 parts Rye
2 dashes each Orgeat & Grenadine to each drink
1 Egg White to each 2 drinks
Shake with cracked ice.

David A. Embury, The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks, 1948

Review

Balanced sweet and sour with bourbon to the fore. Some, including my hero David Embury, stipulate making this cocktail with a straight rye whiskey. However, having tried rye against bourbon in this cocktail and I prefer the richness of a wheat-rich bourbon over a spicy rye.

Variations/similar cocktails

Union Club cocktail

Skip advertisement Advertisement
Difford’s Shop logo
$3.81 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 6 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

Gallery

Skip advertisement Advertisement

Comments & Discussion

Miguel Perales Premium Member
Wow, great layers present through out. Went with a barrel proof Bourbon and was glad I did. Mine turned out with a fairly dry mouth-feel (which I liked). The Bourbon was prevalent upfront, but it was followed by a great citrus/sweet balance and finishing with a hint of the Orgeat. Highly recommend. I made a second one right after with a barrel proof rye whiskey, and though I like the extra "spiciness" the Rye brings, I agree with you Simon, I prefer the Bourbon version.
score: 2
Lynn Garvie
This is a lovely bourbon cocktail that grows on you as you drink it.
However mine turned out bright pink using the directed 5ml of Monin Grenadine.
score: 2
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
Different grenadines impart different shades of red. Particularly homemade fresh pomegranate grenadine imparts very subtle colour to cocktails.
score: 1
Lynn Garvie
That's interesting that homemade grenadine gives a more subtle colour. How do you find that it affects the flavour?
Looking at the recipes for homemade grenadine it's difficult to justify the effort of homemade versus the low price and availability of commercial products.
score: 1
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
Grenadine made with freshly squeezed pomegranate juice is by far my preference for flavour, but as you say, it's a faff to make and doesn't impart much colour to the cocktail.
score: 1
andy gilbert
This was very nice but I’m not convinced on Grenadine for 2 reasons. One it’s quite sweet and perhaps needs even less volume. Second it doesn’t give the same colour that the picture shows - I cannot see how any mix of Grenadine would give an Amber colour.
score: 1
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
I made the cocktail photographed above cocktail on 14th August 2023, and I can assure you it had 5ml (1/6oz) of grenadine. I use the exact recipe when making cocktails for Dan to photograph - this is my last chance to recheck the recipe before uploading to the site.
score: 1
Beverly Stanton
Very complex, bourbon 1st ,orgeat, then sweetness of grenadine. Will make again. Lime gives a balance.
score: 1
Chris Dimal
Exactly the same notes for me too, though using cask strength Bourbon also keeps the Bourbon throughout.
score: 2

View 4 comments and discussion

See more...

Difford’s Shop logo
$3.81 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 6 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

Beverly Hills Hotel Cocktail

Beverly Hills Hotel Cocktail Image

Zingy grapefruit sourness balances rich elderflower in this gin-laced cocktail, which you might consider enjoying with your breakfast. That's how they...

View more

Cadillac Margarita (AKA Grand Margarita)

Cadillac Margarita (AKA Grand Margarita) Image

A flavoursome Margarita, with the liqueur's rich cognac and orange notes adding to this cocktail's depth of flavour.

View more

Champagne Cocktail

Champagne Cocktail Image

Starts bone dry and becomes slightly sweeter as you reach the dissolving cube at the bottom, depending on how briskly you drink of course. Back in the...

View more

Charlie Chaplin

Charlie Chaplin Image

Dilution is key to this fruity sweet 'n' sour cocktail, hence, depending on your ice, the Charlie Chaplin may benefit from the addition of a splash of...

View more

China Blue

China Blue Image

This simple turquoise cocktail tastes more adult and interesting than its colour might suggest.

View more

Tulane Aperitif

Tulane Aperitif Image

Adapted from the classic Tulane cocktail with Chambreyzette aperitif in place of strawberry liqueur.

View more