The Purl

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (4 ratings)
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    The Purl

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The Purl image

Serve in a Pint glass

Ingredients:
2 oz Hayman's Old Tom Gin
Top up with British bitter ale
× 1 1 serving
Read about cocktail measures and measuring

Garnish: None

How to make:

POUR ingredients into chilled glass.

Allergens:

Recipe contains the following allergens:

Review:

Somebody seems to have spiked my beer!

View readers' comments

History:

In 18th century London Gin tended to be mixed two to one with water and sold by the quarter pint. The Purl, simply gin and ale, was another popular mix. Sometimes the beer was warmed first to make a 'hot purl', apparently popular with Thames boatman of the day.

Alcohol content:

  • 1.6 standard drinks
  • 37.64% alc./vol. (37.64° proof)
  • 22.6 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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Richard Elgar’s Avatar Richard Elgar
3rd September 2020 at 02:15
This was quite inspirational. I was going to make your cocktail of the day for the anniversary of the Great Fire, but instead made this, but wanted to make it more like a Wormwood ale so added absinthe and cardamom bitters to a Samuel Smith pale ale. I called that cocktail a London Purl.
If interested, here's the link to the video: https://youtu.be/Xcl3G__pkqM
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G. M. Genovese’s Avatar G. M. Genovese
25th December 2023 at 17:11
Richard, I just made your recipe with Ransom Old Tom Gin, Dogfish Head 60 Min IPA (essentially a strong bitter), and some Bokers Bitters and it was quite fantastic. I must admit I have a bitter tooth... I will try it again with what you used. Great inspiration. Well done.
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[deleted user]
3rd September 2020 at 08:13
Loved your video Richard!
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