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Sunray

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (70)
Sunray image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
2⁄3 fl oz Bourbon whiskey
2⁄3 fl oz Grand Marnier or other cognac orange liqueur
1⁄3 fl oz Aromatized wine (e.g. Lillet Blanc)
1⁄3 fl oz Blanc quinquina/kina (e.g. Mattei Cap Corse, Bonal, Kina L'Aéro)
3⁄4 fl oz Orange juice (freshly squeezed)

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

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How to make

Glass

Photographed in an UB Coley Coupe Gold 6oz

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a COUPE GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of orange zest twist.

Method

  1. SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
  2. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

  1. EXPRESS orange zest twist over the cocktail and use as garnish.

Flavour Profile

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

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Sunray contains 141 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.2 standard drinks
  • 18.27% alc./vol. (36.54° proof)
  • 16.2 grams of pure alcohol

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

History

First published in William James "Billy" Tarling's 1937 Café Royal Bar Book where the invention of this cocktail is credited to "A. L. Jones." The Sunray was brought to our attention by by J. E. Clapham of Clapham Cocktails, who recommends making it with Cocchi Americano in place of the Kina Lillet used in the 1937 recipe.

SUNRAY
Invented by A. L. Jones
1/4 Grand Marnier.
1/4 Bourbon Whiskey.
1/4 Lillet.
1/4 Orange Juice.
Shake.

William James Tarling, Café Royal Bar Book, 1937

Review

Citrusy, bourbon-laced and gently bittersweet with fresh zippy rich orange.

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$2.26 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 18.5 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


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Gallery

Comments & Discussion

Quentin Hickam Reed Premium Member
Made this as a Last Word style equal parts drink with OJ, Woodford, Grand Marnier, and Cocchi Americano. A delightful brunchy sipper that feels like a sidecar and a margarita had a very lovely baby.
score: 1
Calvin Grant Premium Member
Loved this made with the Kina L'aero/Lillet split. Just tried with Bonal/Lillet and that's good also. Will try next with Cocchi Americano 20ml. I used Pierre Ferrand and want to try with Grand Marnier...some day.
score: 2
John CARR Premium Member
yeah I was just revisiting the white negroni with bonal/lillet split and it was absolutely superb. Spot on flavour depth and balance.
score: 1
John CARR Premium Member
A wonderful vintage cocktail, and one to surprise ppl with! Sweet fruit up front, backbone from bourbon and Cocchi Americano (in this case), freshened up by the bitter and herbal characters of the Kina L’aero d’Or and Americano. Superb balance 5 stars!
score: 2
Calvin Grant Premium Member
☆☆☆☆☆
score: 2
Chris Dimal
I remember your compliment to my comment about the 2:1 Martini and I am duly obliged to return the favour to you. Absolutely spot on.
score: 1
Frederic D. Premium Member
Since my wife is no fan of bitter drinks, I omitted the kina and doubled the Lillet Blanc instead. The drink came our great, and deserving of its name: fresh and bright, but with a sturdy bourbon foundation. One of the better orange juice drinks I've found.
score: 2
Robert Spain
Jim Beam, Pierre Ferrand Curaçao, and Cocchi Americano. Very good, but the Curaçao takes over all the other ingredients.
score: 1
Tuber Magnatum Premium Member
While I'm not entirely sure if it qualifies as a Kina aromatized wine, I used Sacred English Amber Vermouth in its stead. Regardless, it was excellent! Definitely a repeat.
score: 2
G. M. Genovese Premium Member
One of the more palatable oj drinks I've tried. Used Old Bardstown, Bauchant, Lillet Blanc, and Kina L'Aero d'Or. This will be a go-to when I'm trying to rid of that pesky unwanted oj. (8 Jun 2022, 1:10p)
score: 1
Matthew French
Great balance of bitter and sweet, and since I had some blood oranges...Red Sky cocktail.
score: 2
Sander Pastoor
Made this one with Pierre Ferrand's Dry Curacao instead of Grand Marnier and it came out great. Great summer evening drink.
score: 3

View 9 comments and discussion

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Difford’s Shop logo
$2.26 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 18.5 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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