Name: Greta Garbo
Total time: 4 min
Cuisine: Cocktail
Ingredients: 60 ml Light white rum; 7.5 ml Maraschino liqueur; 15 ml Sugar syrup 'rich' (2:1); 30 ml Lime juice; 5 ml Aniseed liqueur

Ingredients

2 fl oz

Light white rum (charcoal-filtered 1-4 years old)

1/4 fl oz

Luxardo Maraschino liqueur

1/2 fl oz

Sugar syrup 'rich' (2 sugar to 1 water) 65.0°Brix

1 fl oz

Lime juice (freshly squeezed)

1/6 fl oz

Aniseed (anise) liqueur

How to make

Glassware

Prepare

Select and pre-chill a COUPE GLASS.

Prepare garnish of star anise.

Method

SHAKE all ingredients with ice.

FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

Garnish with star anise floated on surface.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol

Medium

Boozy

Sweet

Medium

Dry/sour

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Greta Garbo contains 212 calories

Alcohol content:

1.6 standard drinks
17.77% alc./vol. (35.54° proof)
22.4 grams of pure alcohol

History

The origins of this cocktail are unknown but it is named after the Swedish film actress and Hollywood star. Born Greta Lovisa Gustafsson on the 18th September 1905, Greta Garbo received three Academy Award nominations for Best Actress and an honorary one in 1954. She was ranked the fifth greatest female star of all time by the American Film Institute in 1999, behind Katharine Hepburn, Bette Davis, Audrey Hepburn, and Ingrid Bergman.

Garbo's career launched with the 1924 Swedish film, The Saga of Gosta Berling. Although her role was minor, her performance caught the attention of Louis B. Mayer, chief executive of Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) who signed her to his studio in 1925. The next year she appeared in MGM's silent film, Torrent, then Flesh and the Devil in 1926, which propelled her to international stardom. Garbo's first talking film was Anna Christie (1930) which MGM marketed with the catch-phrase "Garbo talks!". Garbo retired from the screen after the failure of Two-Faced Woman in 1941 at the age of 35 having appeared in 28 films. An avid art collector, she never married, had no children and lived alone shunning publicity. Greta Garbo died 15th April 1990.

Comments & Discussion

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Adrian 8 months ago

Great recipe, thanks again Diffy

Steven Jepson Premium Member Commenter Appreciated Commenter 9 months ago

Selected this as a follow-up to a Scandinavian Daiquiri. Similar but the first one with Aquavit.
I used Ricard 55 and found it a lovely drink - however the Scandi was far better which may have prejudiced the outcome.
I would recommend trying both and weirdly (not noticed until making them) both use Star Anise as a garnish.

MiRiNaeJM Commenter Appreciated Commenter 10 months ago

I replaced Pernod with an Antesite anise concentrate that would have a similar flavor profile. The drink turned a light-brown color and showed a depth; I could taste each ingredient clearly and feel balanced—an interesting result.

MiRiNaeJM Commenter Appreciated Commenter 9 months ago

Used 1/6 oz of the anise concentrate again, cut the rich syrup by 1/3 oz, and swapped the garnish for an absinthe rinse. Not a bright drink—rich and foamy. I love a daiquiri with this kind of depth.

Miguel Perales Premium Member Commenter Appreciated Commenter 1 year ago

A very light, flavorful cocktail. I'm not that crazy about absinthe so, like Florian, I misted Absinthe on the glass instead of using the full amount. Citrusy with a hint of anise ( d.t spritzing of Absinthe). Very enjoyable.

Florian Ruf Premium Member Commenter Appreciated Commenter 2 years ago

And I forgot to mention: some drops of saline solution is perfect to even lift the taste.

Florian Ruf Premium Member Commenter Appreciated Commenter 2 years ago

Wonderful cocktail. I used a bit less Absinthe and gave it instead a spray of Absinthe on the ready cocktail in the glass.

Luca Viviani Beta Tester Premium Member Appreciated Commenter 2 years ago

I loved it. Next time I will try reducing Maraschino to 5 ml, I found it a little prevailing.

jeff gathergood 4 years ago

This is my wife’s favourite cocktail

John Hinojos Premium Member Commenter Appreciated Commenter 4 years ago

Being a big rum and absinthe fan, this is a perfect cocktail. It could be an aperitif or digestive. Tart with the beautiful hints of absinthe coming through. Highly recommend.