Skip advertisement Advertisement

Pan American Clipper

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (86)
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
2 fl oz Calvados / apple brandy / straight applejack
1⁄2 fl oz Lime juice (freshly squeezed)
1⁄6 fl oz Monin Grenadine Syrup
1⁄6 fl oz Sugar syrup 'rich' (2 sugar to 1 water) 65.0°Brix
2 dash La Fée Parisienne absinthe
1⁄3 fl oz Chilled water/mineral water (omit if using wet ice)

How to make

Glass

Photographed in an UB Retro Fizz 1920 7oz

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a COUPE GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of lime slice wheel.

Method

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

Garnish

  1. Garnish with lime slice on rim.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Pan American Clipper contains 182 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.4 standard drinks
  • 18.79% alc./vol. (37.58° proof)
  • 19.3 grams of pure alcohol

History

This vintage cocktail first appeared in Charles H. Baker's 1939 The Gentleman's Companion in which Baker says the cocktail is "from the notebook of one of our pilot friends–when off duty–may seek one." His friend obviously was a pilot for Pan Am Airlines.

The Pan American Clipper's modern-day popularity is partly due to its being heroed by St. John Frizell at his Fort Defiance bar in Brooklyn, New York City, USA. Our version of this classic by yours truly.

Review

Essentially, a Jack Rose with a couple of dashes of absinthe. (If making this with bonded-strength applejack in place of calvados, then knock back to 50ml.)

Difford’s Shop logo
$0.26 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 150.5 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.

Gallery

Comments & Discussion

trendomexico Premium Member
Very fresh and subtle, the flavor is there but very subdued... it taste red, but not very sweet. enjoyable, a little forgettable. but cute for Saturdar at 6:43 in the afternoon, I am still in the liftoff.
score: 1
Chris Dimal
Obviously have no Applejack, so I used a heavy amount of Calvados (62.5ml of Chateau de Breuil Fine, which is much woodier than Avallen). Dashed the absinthe on top for aromatics and it does land well. The lime and grenadine really hit through the palate and the apple then follows and stays.
score: 2
Erik Lindgren
I made this today with Lairds bottled in bond and homemade grenadine, and DAMN, it was something right up my alley. By just looking at the specs I thought it would be out of balance, but I just found it very flavourful and complex. Of course you won’t like it if you use a bad grenadine or don’t like absinthe, but if you use quality ingredients it’s really solid.
score: 3
Florian Ruf Premium Member
Good cocktail, using Calvados it is possible avoid the cocktail being too strong. If it is not homemade I suggest using 1,5cl Grenadine instead of the Grenadine and sugar syrup combo.
score: 1
John Hinojos Premium Member
Very spirit forward. Like the touch of absinthe. Not too sweet so good as an evening sipping cocktail.
score: 2

See more...

Difford’s Shop logo
$0.26 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 150.5 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.