Skip advertisement Advertisement

MGM Grand

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (171)
MGM Grand image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 1⁄2 fl oz Cognac (brandy)
1⁄2 fl oz Luxardo Maraschino liqueur
2⁄3 fl oz Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
1⁄3 fl oz Sugar syrup 'rich' (2 sugar to 1 water) 65.0°Brix
1 dash Orange Bitters by Angostura

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.
  2. STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

  1. EXPRESS orange zest twist over the cocktail and discard.

Flavour Profile

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

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of MGM Grand contains 172 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.3 standard drinks
  • 18.63% alc./vol. (37.27° proof)
  • 18.1 grams of pure alcohol

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

History

A riff on the classic Casino Cocktail, hence the name referencing one of the most famous Las Vegas resort casinos.

Adapted from a recipe created in 2015 by Andrew Loudon at Satan's Whiskers in London, England.

More cocktails by Andrew Loudon

Review

Nail the perfect balance and this cognac-based cocktail sings on the palate with cognac, richly subtle cherry, and zesty lemon acidity.

Difford’s Shop logo
$1.56 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 25 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

Comments & Discussion

Tuber Magnatum Premium Member
Excellent cocktail. For me the 10ml rich syrup was perfect and fear that reducing to 7.5ml would create an overly tart drink, but then that would depend on ones personal flavour profile and lemons available. While I will try again with 7.5ml to compare, I suggest for those drinking for the first time to go with the recipe as written; I don't think you will be disappointed!
score: 1
Patrick Brady
Very nice. The hint of cherry in this sour is a very pleasant note. Used Regans orange bitters. Could use a touch less sugar I think. Not sure I understand the detractors of Maraschino - it's the perfect subtle hit of cherry here.
score: 2
Bocman
Perhaps the first cocktail I enjoyed with Maraschino was a delightful experience 👍🍒
score: 1
Joseph Nelson Premium Member
This was an interesting blend of tart and sweet, more sweet than I am accustomed to. I used Lazzaroni Maraschino which is a softer take on the liqueur and I found it imparted a subtle tone, allowing the cognac to shine. A very interesting diversion.
score: 1
Calvin Grant Premium Member
Grand indeed. The Maraschino shines amidst the brandy softened citrus sour so well balanced. Oh, and all the orange!
score: 1
Luca Viviani Premium Member
I actually liked this even better than the original Casino. You must be a fan of Maraschino, though.
score: 2
S BA
I’m not a bit fan of maraschino liqueur, so I replaced it with 5ml of cherry herring, 5ml of Kirschwasser (cherry eau de vie) and 5 ml of Mara chino liqueur. This is of course a much more complicated version but it turned out great with a little less of the artificial maraschino flavour.
score: 1
John Hinojos Premium Member
Very nicely balanced. Did use about 1/3 less of the sugar syrup and it was perfect for us. Nice citrus flavours along with the softness from the cognac. Very nice as a before dinner cocktail.
score: 4
Miguel Perales Premium Member
I went with the 10 ml rich syrup and was pleasantly surprised. I agree that this was a nicely balanced cocktail but like Mr. Difford said, you could easily decrease the rich syrup to 7.5 ml (1/4 oz) for a more tart drink. One of the few cocktails where you can actually appreciate the Luxardo. It has a nice citrus sourness to offset the syrup.
And thank you Mr. Difford for taking time to respond to my question.
score: 1
Miguel Perales Premium Member
A clarification before I make this please. In the video, Mr. Loudon calls for 5 ml (1/6 oz) of simple syrup (1:1). In theory, shouldn't that then be 2.5 ml (1/12 oz) of a rich syrup (2:1) vs the 10 ml (1/3 oz) that is listed in the ingredients?
Thanks in advance.
score: 2
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
I've just made and tried/ With 10ml of 2:1 sugar syrup (as per the recipe above and end screen of the video) this is balanced. If you like your cocktails on the tart side then perhaps reduce this to 7.5ml. I believe Andrew made a mistake when he said 5ml of 1:1. (If using 1:1 sugar I'd recommend 12.5ml to 15ml simple syrup.)
score: 2
Albert Markiewicz
Not really. 5 ml of simple syrup is not the same as half of the amount of rich syrup. Simple is 50 Brix, rich is 66 Brix
score: 2
Miguel Perales Premium Member
Thank you for the reply/clarification. So, being approximately 1.3 times sweeter, rich syrup is more of adding texture (and slightly more sweetness) to a cocktail than anything else. Plus the advantage that it doesn't have to be refrigerated.
score: 1

Showing the first 10 of 14 comments.

View 14 comments and discussion

See more...

Difford’s Shop logo
$1.56 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 25 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