Name: Ampersand Cocktail
Total time: 3 min
Cuisine: Cocktail
Ingredients: 30 ml Old Tom gin; 30 ml Cognac (brandy); 30 ml Rosso/sweet vermouth; 5 ml Orange Curaçao; 1 dash Orange bitters

Ampersand Cocktail
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Serve in a Coupe glass

Ingredients:
1 oz	Hayman's Old Tom Gin
1 oz	Rémy Martin V.S.O.P. cognac
1 oz	Strucchi Rosso Vermouth
¹⁄₆ oz	Orange Curaçao liqueur
1 dash	Orange Bitters by Angostura

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

How to make:

Select and pre-chill a Coupe glass.
Prepare garnish of orange zest twist.
STIR all ingredients with ice.
FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.
EXPRESS orange zest twist over the cocktail and use as garnish.

Allergens:

Recipe contains the following allergens:

Rosso/rouge/sweet vermouth (di Torino) - Sulphur Dioxide/Sulphites

Strength & taste guide:

No alcohol

Medium

Boozy

Sweet

Medium

Dry/sour

More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

Review:

A boozy brandy-influenced 'wet' and 'sweet' Martini with a hint of orange. The zesty orange notes help the cleansing attributes of this spirit-forward cocktail, so making it equally suited to the pre-dinner and after-dinner occasions.

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History:

First published in Albert Stevens Crockett's 1934 Old Waldorf Bar Days.

AMPERSAND
Two dashes Orange Bitters
One-third Brandy
One-third Tom Gin
One-third Italian Vermouth
Stir; strain; two dashes of Curaçao on top
A. S. Crockett, 1934

The name may be a reference to the '&' in Martini & Rossi, likely the brand of vermouth originally used.

More cocktails by Albert Stevens Crockett

Nutrition:

One serving of Ampersand Cocktail contains 192 calories

Alcohol content:

1.8 standard drinks
25.86% alc./vol. (25.86° proof)
24.6 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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Showing 10 of 15 comments for Ampersand Cocktail.
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Scott McIsaac

17th June at 00:14

Very nice! I made mine with Hayman's Old Tom, Courvoisier VSOP, Carpano Antico, Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao, and Fee Bros. orange bitters. My usual is a Manhattan, and I found this dryer, more fruity and more spicy. I happen to have have a bottle of Bols zeer oude genever, and based on some of the other comments I'd like to try substituting that for the Hayman's next time.

John CARR

30th August 2024 at 13:53

Definitely on the sweet side for me, and orange strongly present, but also pleasantly herbal and fruity. Very period in its balance. Noted GMG’s use of Courvoisier, which might work better for me with extra spiciness. I used Hennessy VSOP.

John CARR

30th August 2024 at 14:05

If perusing in this territory, I’d urge you towards the Chauncey also,

John CARR

30th August 2024 at 13:55

Improved as it warmed a little actually.

Peter McCarthy

28th March 2024 at 03:06

This is great! Hayman's Old Tom, 1889 Royal VS, Dolin Rouge, & Pierre Ferrand. The gin, brandy, vermouth, and orange are well-balanced! A little sweet up front and dry on the finish keeps you coming back for another sip.

G. M. Genovese

25th December 2023 at 07:09

I understand the Martinez comparisons. This is more orangey yes. I used the more cardamom-heavy Boker's Bitters as well as Ransom Old Tom (dominant in whatever it's in); Courvoisier and Vermouth Volume Primo... Its aftertaste leads me to believe this was a fortunate blend of brands. Quite dry. I like it.

Matthew Ovens

29th June 2023 at 18:42

We make a slight variation known as the Samperand (inventive, I know). Double measures of Gin, Cognac. Single vermouth and then maybe 2/3 a measure each of Grand Manier and Cointreau. Two dashes of angostura and one of orange bitters. Shaken over ice and double strained.

Can it be a little overpowering, maybe. Is it delicious, definitely!

William Smith

11th March 2023 at 00:56

I actually prefer this to the Martinez, which it closely resembles. The cognac adds just the right amount of dryness. I used a local barrel rested gin in place of Old Tom, and Carpano Antica, which played nicely with the gin's spiciness.

Miguel Perales

10th September 2022 at 18:31

A good balanced drink. I used Cocchi di Torino which became fairly prominent in this drink. Nice tart finish in mine.

John Hinojos

20th June 2022 at 00:07

Very impressive cocktail. I love the older style cocktails that are not too sweet and with few ingredients. Perfectly balanced and a nice hint of orange.

Fernando Yu

19th February 2022 at 15:01

Interesting and orange forward mix.

Katie Winder

14th December 2021 at 06:42

I followed Richard's advice and had it on the rocks as a late night December sipper. I love the subtle orange flavor. Interested to try it with genever next.

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