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Yellow Daisy

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (73)
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 1/3 fl oz Hayman's London Dry Gin
1 1/3 fl oz Strucchi Dry Vermouth
2/3 fl oz Grand Marnier or other cognac orange liqueur
3 dash La Fée Parisienne absinthe

Garnish: Pink grapefruit (or lemon) zest twist

How to make

Glassware

Serve in a Coupe glass

Method:

SHAKE (or stir) all ingredients with ice and fine strain into chilled glass.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Strength 8/10
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Sweet to sour 6/10

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Yellow Daisy contains 190 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.8 standard drinks
  • 23.54% alc./vol. (47.09° proof)
  • 25.5 grams of pure alcohol

Allergens:

Recipe contains the following allergens:

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History

Despite its name, the Yellow Daisy is not a member of the daisy family of cocktails. Best described as a sweetened and aromatised Martini, It was a popular drink in the early 20th century and featured in Harry Craddock's 1930 The Savoy Cocktail Book accompanied by a notation saying the drink was the favourite of, and perhaps invented by, Richard William "Deadwood Dick" Clark. He was a famous larger-than-life wild west character of the day who mixed with the likes of Buffalo Bill and Calamity Jane.

YELLOW DAISY COCKTAIL.* (6 people)
2 Glasses Gin.
2 Glasses French Vermouth.
1 Glass Grand Marnier.
Before shaking add a dash of Absinthe.
*Not only the favourite drink, but also the one made famous, if not invented, by Richard William ("Deadwood Dick") Clark, recently deceased (84) : onetime Guster Scout, Pony Express rider, Deadwood Gulch stage-coach guard, inspiration for all the (64) Deadwood Dick novels of E. L. Wheeler; friend of Wild Westerners, Wild Bill Hickok, Buffalo Bill, Poker Alice Tubbs, Calamity Jane, Madame Mustache and Diamond Dick Turner of Norfolk, Neb. : Clark is buried on Sunrise Mountain, overlooking Deadwood Gulch, S. Dak.

Harry Craddock, 1930


Review

This is the kind of cocktail that many bartenders will want to stir rather than shake. However, it is classically shaken. Herbal, zesty and spirituous. Absinthe plays a key role but does not overwhelm.

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Gallery

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Comments & Discussion

Chris Brislawn
Being credited with creating a cocktail named the "Yellow Daisy" may be revealing a more sensitive side to Deadwood Dick than is likely found in the dimestore novels he inspired, in which he probably drinks tequila or rotgut whiskey straight out of the bottle. I kept Deadwood's preferred proportions but split the vermouth 2:1 between dry and bianco for a bit more herbal complexity. I'm sure Deadwood would approve. Excellent!
score: 2
David Teager
Nice enough, but in the end I think I’d rather have the related Ford (if one has Old Tom Gin).
score: 1
Suzanne Hooker Premium Member
My husband's favorite drink is a 1:1 dirty martini. His favorite liquor is Gran Gala. We just picked up a bottle of absinthe to expand our cocktail making repertoire. As I looked for something to start with, this drink obviously checked every box. I ended up just using a splash of absinthe in the drinks, and I rinsed the coupes with absinthe as well. Then I topped the drinks with a spritz of orange oil. They were absolutely fabulous. I believe this may become my husband's standard.
score: 1
John Hinojos Premium Member
Outstanding. The all the various herbal flavours blend perfectly together. Exactly matched the description. Being a lover of absinthe, we initially tried the recipe as written. Did another with a spray of absinthe on the top of the finished cocktail. Brought the punch of the absinthe to the initial taste of the cocktail. Wow.
score: 1
simon kitchen
Spotted this when you did a feature on grand marnier and thought the absinthe would be an interesting mix. I don’t have all the bartender gear so judging three dashes is difficult to balance the cocktail. We enjoyed it, but it’s not going to be in our top favourites. It’s very pleasant, balanced not sweet or dry, can just about make out the grand marnier behind the absinthe. Gin and vermouth seem to play a “dilution” role primarily for the absinthe.
score: 4
G. M. Genovese Premium Member
Excellent description.
score: 0
Deanna Gerdesmeier
This is a great cocktail to impress while entertaining. Deliciously potent despite the crisp taste. Herbal and citrus without being too sweet.
score: 1