Tremblement de Terre (Earthquake)

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (18 ratings)

Photographed in a Speakeasy Nick & Nora 4.75oz

Ingredients:
1 23 oz Rémy Martin V.S.O.P. cognac
8 dash La Fée Parisienne absinthe
16 oz Monin Pure Cane Syrup (65.0°brix, equivalent to 2:1 rich syrup)
23 oz Chilled water reduce if wet ice
× 1 1 serving
Read about cocktail measures and measuring

How to make:

  1. Select and pre-chill a Nick & Nora glass.
  2. Prepare garnish of lemon zest twist.
  3. STIR all ingredients with ice.
  4. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.
  5. EXPRESS lemon zest twist over the cocktail and use as garnish.

Strength & taste guide:

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Strength 9/10
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Sweet to sour 6/10

Review:

Absinthe adds a liquorice note to this spirit-forward cognac-based cocktail.

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History:

Originally equal parts cognac and absinthe, this cocktail is said to have been served at parties by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901, the French Post-Impressionist.

Harry Craddock's 1930 The Savoy Cocktail Book puts an English spin on "The Earthquake Cocktail" with a recipe that specifies "1/3 Gin, 1/3 Whisky, 1/3 Absinthe, Shake well and serve in a cocktail glass." This recipe is followed by a notation to the name, "So-called because if there should happen to be an earthquake on when you are drinking it, it won't matter." Craddock also notes, "This is a Cocktail whose potency is not to be taken toom lightly, or, for that matter, too frequently!"

Nutrition:

One serving of Tremblement de Terre (Earthquake) contains 139 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.2 standard drinks
  • 22.05% alc./vol. (22.05° proof)
  • 17.1 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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Nils Marklund’s Avatar Nils Marklund
8th October 2024 at 20:28
If you - like me - love absinthe.
If you - like me - love cognac.
This is for you!
Exceptional drink! My wife thought it was the worst.
But she´s no fan of absinthe.
ian roberts’ Avatar ian roberts
28th June 2024 at 18:10
Halfway through a glass of the harry Craddock original, wow really tasty writing this now as probably won’t remember a thing later!
Tim Ihde’s Avatar Tim Ihde
5th April 2024 at 15:28
Just had an earthquake centered about 6 miles from my house in New Jersey. Is it weird that this was one of the first things I looked for? Will absolutely try it tonight.
John Hinojos’ Avatar John Hinojos
23rd June 2021 at 04:24
Really like the absinthe flavour which comes through. Did find it a bit sweet and not sure if it need the sugar syrup. May try again with a bit more absinthe, I like absinthe, and no or just a dash of sugar syrup.