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Green Isaac's Special

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (46)
Green Isaac's Special image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 1⁄2 fl oz Hayman's London Dry Gin
3 fl oz Coconut water
1⁄6 fl oz Lime juice (freshly squeezed)
2 dash Angostura Aromatic Bitters

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

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How to make

Glass

Photographed in a Rondo Highball Glass 37cl

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a COLLINS GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of lime wedge.

Method

  1. SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
  2. STRAIN into ice-filled glass.

Garnish

  1. Garnish with lime wedge.

Flavour Profile

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

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Green Isaac's Special contains 115 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.1 standard drinks
  • 9.84% alc./vol. (19.68° proof)
  • 14.8 grams of pure alcohol

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

History

Named after the small Bahamian island of Great Isaac Cay, the Green Isaac's Special appears in Ernest Hemingway's autobiographical novel Islands in the Stream where the great author wrote, "Thomas Hudson tasted, took a swallow and felt the cold that had the sharpness of the lime, the aromatic varnishy taste of the Angostura and the gin stiffening the lightness of the ice-cold coconut water."

More cocktails by Ernest Hemingway

Review

Ernest Hemingway was a hardened drinker who also suffered from haemochromatosis (a rare hereditary disease that can lead to diabetes) so avoided sugar. With this in mind, I've subtly softened and mellowed his creation. It's still on the dry side and plenty strong enough, but hopefully better balanced.

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$2.13 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 16.5 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


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* 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.

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Gallery

Comments & Discussion

Gui Dietrich
Not a remarkable drink, and it doesn’t seem complex at all. I added 2:1 sugar, the juice of one whole lime, and after shaking it, I added 1 tsp of rose water. It definitely improved it. Next time, I want to try stirring it instead of shaking.
score: 1
Gui Dietrich
For my taste, it definitely gets better when it’s not shaken.
So for me, this works: 45 ml gin, 90 ml coconut water, 15 ml lime juice, 10 ml 2:1 sugar syrup, 3 dashes of Angostura, and 1 tbsp of rose water. Stir with ice instead of shaking.
score: 2
Nathan Sipes
Not a bad drink at all, but I was longing for a bit more complexity. A great base for improvisation. I opted for dry vermouth, which helped. I think sake or a floral gin would elevate things a bit more.
score: 1
Shay Dabush
I really wanted this one to work as I'm a fan of coconut water cocktails, but unfortunately, I really can't say I liked it. It's missing sweetness and complexity that even the Angostura bitters couldn't compensate for. I added ~5ml of 2:1 simple syrup and it made OK'ish..
score: 1
Peter Hodge
Initially I did think it lacked a certain sweetness but after a few sips I found I enjoyed it as it was. I may have been a little enthusiastic with the bitters but then again I like the flavour of Angostura so didn’t mind!
score: 1
Richard Elgar Premium Member
That picture looks absolutely nothing like the drink!
score: 1
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
Thanks for bringing to my attention Richard. Does the new image above look more the part? Not sure the red from the bitters showed in the last image.
score: 0
Richard Elgar Premium Member
Hi Simon - no - the drink once shaken becomes opaque, and a nice orange colour from the mix of Angostura and lime juice. I'll email you a picture!
score: 0
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
Only 5ml of lime and 2 dash bitters. I use a DashDart dasher rather than the one that comes on the Angostura bottle to ensure a moderate and accurate dash.
score: 0
Benjamin Hietanen
Added a few ounces of club soda into this and really enjoyed it!
score: 1

View 6 comments and discussion

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Difford’s Shop logo
$2.13 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 16.5 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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