Gypsy Queen

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (115 ratings)

Serve in a Nick & Nora glass

Ingredients:
1 12 oz Ketel One Vodka
12 oz Bénédictine D.O.M. liqueur
1 dash Angostura Aromatic Bitters
× 1 1 serving
Read about cocktail measures and measuring

How to make:

  1. Select and pre-chill a Nick & Nora glass.
  2. Prepare garnish of orange zest twist.
  3. STIR all ingredients with ice.
  4. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.
  5. EXPRESS orange zest twist over the cocktail and use as garnish.

Strength & taste guide:

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Strength 9/10
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Sweet to sour 5/10

Review:

Vodka both fortifies this complexly spiced honeyed and herbal cocktail.

View readers' comments

Variant:

With tequila: Rude Gypsy; with gin: London Gypsy; with vodka, orange and lemon: Juicy Gypsy.

History:

Drinks historian David Wondrich discovered the earliest known reference to the Gypsy Queen in a 1938 booklet published by New York City's famed The Russian Tea Room. This makes it one of the earliest vodka-cocktails in the USA.

In his seminal 1948 The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks, David Embury says, "The original recipe calls for a proportion of 1 to 2. This, however, is rather sweet. About 5 top 6 parts vodka to 1 of Benedictine makes a much better drink." [The above recipe is 3 to 1.]

Embury's "Gypsy or Gypsy Queen" recipe of 1-part Benedictine and 2 to 6 parts Vodka stipulates "1 dash Orange Bitters to each drink" but Angostura or similar aromatic bitters produce a rounder cocktail.

Nutrition:

One serving of Gypsy Queen contains 148 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.4 standard drinks
  • 31.52% alc./vol. (31.52° proof)
  • 19 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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G. M. Genovese’s Avatar G. M. Genovese
9th March at 00:51
This drink is merely a vehicle for the Benedictine. I enjoyed this way more with a good tequila.
Miguel Perales’ Avatar Miguel Perales
19th September 2024 at 23:00
Fantastic flavors. Slightly sweet and the Benedictine really stands out in this one. The bitters add a nice balance at the end.
5th January 2024 at 08:24
The Gypsy Queen cocktail presents a surprising blend of caramel and honey notes from the Benedictine D.O.M, complemented by the smooth influence of vodka that tames its spiciness. This concoction delivers a unique and flavorful experience, showcasing a well-balanced profile that intrigues the palate with each sip.
18th November 2022 at 02:39
I liked this more after a dash or two of chocolate bitters, but it was very good to start as well
6th September 2022 at 09:33
Delicious and elegant
Alexandre Perron’s Avatar Alexandre Perron
3rd July 2022 at 22:10
Quite surprising ! I am not a big fan of Vodka initially, but I must admit that this drink is great.
John Hinojos’ Avatar John Hinojos
16th May 2022 at 00:34
If you are looking for a great and flavourful aperitif, this is one to try. Just slightly sweet, and the herbal tastes from the Benedictine and bitters. Well balanced. Does benefit from a long stir.
Nathalie O'Flynn’s Avatar Nathalie O'Flynn
26th March 2022 at 13:43
Continuing my quest for Vodka cocktails, this was the aperitif choice for today and I was pleasantly surprised how simple but fine this one was.