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Obituary

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (78)
Obituary image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
2 fl oz Hayman's Old Tom Gin (from freezer)
1⁄3 fl oz Strucchi Bianco Vermouth (chilled)
1⁄6 fl oz La Fée Parisienne absinthe
1⁄6 fl oz Chilled water/mineral water (omit if using wet ice)

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 skewered green olive.

Method

  1. STIR all ingredients with ice.
  2. STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

  1. Garnish with skewered olive.

Flavour Profile

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

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Obituary contains 159 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.7 standard drinks
  • 29.37% alc./vol. (58.74° proof)
  • 23.5 grams of pure alcohol

Allergens:

Recipe contains the following allergens:

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

History

This absinthe-laced Dry Martini was popularised during the 1940s at Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop in New Orleans and is regarded as one of the Crescent City's cocktails.

Review

What a way to go. A Martini with a splash of the green fairy. I like to use old tom gin to make an Obituary as it sits so much better with the absinthe than London dry gin. I also prefer bianco over the dry vermouth traditionally used to make an Obituary. However, If I only have dry gin to hand, this is my recipe:
60ml (2oz) Dry Gin (from freezer)
7.5ml (¼oz) Dry vermouth
2.5ml (½ spoon) Absinthe

Variations/similar cocktails

Absinthe Martini

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Gallery

Comments & Discussion

Robert Spain
This is a very good cocktail. Next time I will probably reduce the amount of absinthe so that the botanicals in the gin may shine brighter.
score: 1
tom munger
My lovely bride (for nearly 25 years) and I are sitting here in Paris, missing our life in New Orleans (where we first met at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop and later lived) enjoying our take— a 50-50 Obituary : gin to vermouth at 1:1 with a dash of Ricard. Outstanding !
score: 3
David Teager
This is MUCH drier than the recipe featured in the New York Times today. they featured this in an article about this drink and cocktail culture in New Orleans. Called for 2oz gin, 3/4 oz vermouth, and 1/6 oz absiinthe. Making this my Halloween cocktail tonight.
score: 2
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
Thanks, David. Your comment led me to revisit this cocktail and add the new recipe with old tom gin above.
score: 1
John Hinojos Premium Member
What a way to go, indeed. Evening cocktail to end Mardi Gras 2025. Truly a martini for absinthe lovers and the spirit of Vieux Carre cocktail history in New Orleans. We added 1 drop of olive bitters along with a spray of absinthe in the martini glasses. But then I will drink absinthe on the rocks. Very spirit forward. Limit and pace yourself.
Laissez les bons temps rouler!
score: 2
John CARR Premium Member
John CARR
13 seconds ago
Go easy on the absinthe but, yes, with a fresh bottle of Dolin and a nice gin (Sipsmith in this case) very nice. I went with a lemon twist. Not sure it really adds to the classic dry martini (says themartini lover).
score: 3
John CARR Premium Member
… looks like I broke the software…
score: 1
G. M. Genovese Premium Member
Conniption Navy Strength, Noilly Prat Dry, Vieux Carre... I kinda like this... quite piney, evergreen, alpine; welcome salty kiss of olive too... I wouldn't drink this often, but a good off-road Martini.
score: 1
John Hinojos Premium Member
Had this again on Halloween night. Added a few drops of olive bitters and a spray of absinthe on top (as well as in the cocktail). Very enjoyable. I love the pearlescent cast the absinthe gives the cocktail.
score: 2
Mario Bruno
I haven't tried yet, but how about changing the absinthe for Green Chatreuse?
score: 2
John Hinojos Premium Member
You could. The flavour profile will be a bit different as they both do not have the same herbal qualities. The Chartreuse may make the cocktail a bit sweeter. While you would have the green colour, you will be missing the unique coluration that the absinthe give the final cocktail.
score: 2
Mario Bruno
I tried it with Chartreuse and as John Hinojos said the result is a bit sweet, but could do, of course under a different name. Thanks John
score: 1

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Difford’s Shop logo
$3.01 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 12.5 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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