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Colony

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (51)
Colony image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 1⁄2 fl oz Hayman's London Dry Gin
1⁄2 fl oz Luxardo Maraschino liqueur
3⁄4 fl oz Pink grapefruit juice (freshly squeezed)
1⁄12 fl oz Sugar syrup 'rich' (2 sugar to 1 water) 65.0°Brix (optional)
4 drop Grapefruit bitters

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

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How to make

Glassware

Serve in a Coupe glass

Prepare

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

Method

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

Garnish

  1. EXPRESS grapefruit zest twist over 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 Colony contains 153 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.3 standard drinks
  • 20.19% alc./vol. (40.39° proof)
  • 18.4 grams of pure alcohol

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

History

Created during the Prohibition period at New York's Colony speakeasy, possibly by bartender Marco Hattem. The Colony attracted an upmarket clientele, including the Vanderbilts and Windsors. The liquor was kept in an elevator which would be sent to either the attic or the basement if federal agents raided.

Review

Grapefruit and maraschino balance each other in this gin-based classic.

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$3.43 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 16.5 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


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* 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.

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Comments & Discussion

Florian Ruf Premium Member
I know, it has nothing to do with it, but it remembers a little kind of dirty Martini. Very good, although I am no outspoken friend of Marschino.
score: 2
John Hinojos Premium Member
This is outstanding. Going in my favourites. You must like the flavour of grapefruit for this cocktail. You must have the grapefruit bitters. We use locally grown grapefruit which are very sweet and flavourful. While the glass in the picture is hard to find, did find one which is similar with a round bottom and bubbles in the base of glass from Crate and Barrel here in the U.S.
score: 2
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
Hi John. The glass pictured is an old glass from Urban Bar which I don't tink they've made for some years now.
score: 1
Sally Morgan Premium Member
I think you can often mix and match bitters in cocktails but good grapefruit bitters really make this one
score: 1
Jonathan Schwartz
good, but very floral. halved the simple syrup. still sweet.
score: 1
Debbie Lahaise
This is very very dry - I added more grapefruit juice and maraschino liquer - for my taste much better - but made from the book not online (no sugar syrup in book recipe )
score: 1
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
Unless your citrus is very ripe, this cocktail is better with a splash of sugar. I'm continually retrying and updating recipes and this cocktail in our soon-to-be-released Sixteenth Edition has sugar syrup as per the recipe above.
score: 1
Widmann Alcântara
Well, I have just tried this drink and I know for sure that the syrup definitely isn't necessary. I liked it very much (without syrup). But I think I'll try the version sugested in previous post by Steve with orange bitters. Sorry, but I'm from Brazil and my english is not very good.
score: 0
Steve Anderson
Too sweet for my taste. My alternative:
60 ml gin
20 ml Maraschino liqueur
40 ml grapefruit juice
2 dashes bitters. I didn't have grapefruit bitters, so I used orange bitters.
Great for a summer day! I'm still looking for that mix that makes it really good instead of just easy to drink.
score: 1
Matthew Foyle
Does anyone know where this glass is from? It's beautiful!
score: 1

View 8 comments and discussion

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Difford’s Shop logo
$3.43 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 16.5 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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