James Joyce

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (83 ratings)

Serve in a Coupe glass

Ingredients:
1 12 oz Irish whiskey
34 oz Cointreau triple sec liqueur
34 oz Strucchi Rosso Vermouth
12 oz Lime juice (freshly squeezed)
× 1 1 serving
Read about cocktail measures and measuring

How to make:

  1. Select and pre-chill a Coupe glass.
  2. Prepare garnish of skewered Luxardo Maraschino Cherry.
  3. SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
  4. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.
  5. Garnish with skewered cherry.

Allergens:

Recipe contains the following allergens:

Strength & taste guide:

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Strength 8/10
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Sweet to sour 7/10
Cocktail of the day:

16th June 2025 is Bloomsday

Review:

A riff on a Oriental, mellowed by the use of Irish whiskey in place of American rye whiskey.

View readers' comments

History:

Adapted from a recipe created in 2001 by cocktail guru and author Gary "gaz" Regan. This recipe is from his 2003 book, The Joy of Mixology.

JAMES JOYCE COCKTAIL
FAMILY: NEW ORLEANS SOURS
I created this one in 2001 while conducting bartender-training seminars. It's a simple variation on the Oriental Cocktail recipe found in 1930's Savoy Cocktail Book. Rye whiskey and white curaçao were employed in the Oriental Cocktail, so it didn't take a mastermind to twist that drink to create this one.
1½ ounces Irish whiskey
¾ ounce sweet vermouth
¾ ounce triple sec
½ ounce fresh lime juice

SHAKE AND STRAIN into chilled cocktail glass.

Gary Regan, The Joy of Mixology, 2001


This cocktail has become an appropriate toast for celebrants of Bloomsday on the 16th of June each year.

Nutrition:

One serving of James Joyce contains 188 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.6 standard drinks
  • 21.43% alc./vol. (21.43° proof)
  • 22.5 grams of pure alcohol

Difford’s Guide remains free-to-use thanks to the support of the brands in green above. Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

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Chris Brislawn’s Avatar Chris Brislawn
15th July 2024 at 04:11
Excellent balance of flavors, not too simple, not too complicated. Works well with the distinct flavors of Irish whiskey.
Peter McCarthy’s Avatar Peter McCarthy
19th June 2024 at 03:28
Just made this with Glendalough Double Barrel, Cointreau, & Dolin Rouge and I really like it. I'm getting "barrel"/whiskey notes up front, then the lime and a subtle orange come in, finished up by the herbal notes from the vermouth. I've gone through 150+ recipes here so far and I think this is a Top 10 for me right now.
Olga María Gómez Henderson’s Avatar Olga María Gómez Henderson
19th May 2024 at 11:29
That's a very pleasant cocktail.
L L’s Avatar L L
24th February 2024 at 20:56
I started off thinking I had all the ingredients but I didn't. So I used dry Vermouth, maybe 1 oz (was making for 2) and ¼ oz of amaretto, ¼ oz of lime and lemon. Very smooth and very more-ish.
Nathalie O'Flynn’s Avatar Nathalie O'Flynn
20th December 2023 at 18:03
Also a pleasant surprise for me and indeed refreshing
Beth Schneider’s Avatar Beth Schneider
3rd December 2023 at 08:17
I enjoyed this but found it too whiskey forward for my taste. I prefer the flavor profile of the Oriental Cocktail.
Simon Difford’s Avatar Simon Difford
4th December 2023 at 08:20
Many thanks for the feedback, Beth. I've added an explanation of the similarity between the two cocktails and a link above. I've also added a quote saying the same from Gary's book.
Wayne Hanley’s Avatar Wayne Hanley
14th September 2023 at 22:42
I dunno ... for some reason when I finish this, I want to begin all over again!
Nathalie O'Flynn’s Avatar Nathalie O'Flynn
20th December 2023 at 18:03
lol my sort of discerning drinker
Doug Charnock’s Avatar Doug Charnock
17th June 2023 at 01:06
Our official Bloomsday cocktail
Erik Maloney’s Avatar Erik Maloney
16th June 2024 at 19:08
Same here! "The sacred pint alone can unbind the tongue..." Happy Bloomsday.
Andrew Gelb’s Avatar Andrew Gelb
12th March 2022 at 15:47
Delicious! A few weeks back, I made the very similar Oriental Cocktail (Rye in lieu of the Irish), enjoyed it very much, and now this one joins the list of house favorites. Slainte!
John Hinojos’ Avatar John Hinojos
17th December 2021 at 01:41
Looking at the ingredients was a bit unsure, but willing to try. What a pleasant surprise. It is like a whiskey tinged margarita. Very refreshing. Great for an afternoon cocktail or aperitif.