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Bijou Cocktail (inspired by Lawlor's 1895 recipe)

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (131)
Bijou Cocktail (inspired by Lawlor's 1895 recipe) image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 1⁄2 fl oz Hayman's London Dry Gin
3⁄4 fl oz Grand Marnier or other cognac orange liqueur
3⁄4 fl oz Strucchi Rosso Vermouth

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

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How to make

Glass

Photographed in a Waterford Mixology Coupe Clear

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a COUPE GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of orange zest twist.

Method

  1. STIR all ingredients with ice.
  2. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

  1. EXPRESS orange zest twist over the cocktail and use as garnish.

Flavour Profile

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

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Bijou Cocktail (inspired by Lawlor's 1895 recipe) contains 191 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.8 standard drinks
  • 27.24% alc./vol. (54.49° proof)
  • 24.6 grams of pure alcohol

Allergens:

Recipe contains the following allergens:

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

History

Adapted from the original equal parts gin, Grand Marnier and sweet vermouth recipe in C. F. Lawlor's 1895 book The Mixicologist in which he describes this as "a delicious drink." Handily adding, "Grand Marnier can also be served in a pony-glass like any liqueur." Remember, Louis-Alexandre Marnier-Lapostolle only created Grand Marnier 15 years earlier and it must have taken a while for the new liqueur to find its way from France to the Grand Hotel in Cincinnati where Lawlor worked, so he was commenting on what was then an exciting new product.

Bijou Cocktail.
Take
1/3 Grand Marnier.
1/3 Vermouth.
1/3 Plymouth Gin.
Mix and strain ; a delicious drink. Grand Marnier can also be served in pony-glass like any liquor.

C-F-Lawlor, 1895

Review

A boozy sipper of a cocktail that's medium dry with honeyed richness. Gin-based with zesty orange freshness and sweet vermouth adding deep herbal complexity. A great after-dinner cocktail that also works well on-the-rocks.

This should not be confused with the more commonplace equal parts gin, Chartreuse and vermouth Bijou which first appeared in Harry Johnson's 1900 Bartender's Manual.

Variations/similar cocktails

Bijou cocktail (Difford's recipe)
Bijou cocktail (by Jamie Gordon)
Bijou shot

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$3.09 per cocktail*

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


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Comments & Discussion

Loïc Pierre
The gin quality is obviously crucial. I made the cocktail with some awesome gin from Marseille, France, and it was delicious.
score: 1
Mason Hanson Premium Member
With 2oz of gin, I found this lovely. While sweet, the booziness of it made it quite delicious. Made with Beefeater. Next time I'd like to try it with Barr Hill gin to double up on the honey notes!
score: 1
Simon Sedgley Premium Member
We followed Annabelle's lead and included 10ml of Amontillado...a better balance on the original for us. Then we made a second one with an added 10ml of Sake...it's this one that is our favourite variation on the theme. It seems to us that one of the characteristics that a cocktail must embody if it is to be called a 'classic' is a generous and open-hearted invitation to experiment with variation...this one certainly fits the bill for us.
score: 1
Dave D. Premium Member
I just love Bijou…even using a timeless classic like Gordon’s Gin….and Martini and Rossi….but ONLY Grand Marnier!❤️
score: 1
John CARR Premium Member
One senses the DNA of so many other and later cocktails here. Appreciate the simplicity and richness of the flavours.
score: 1
Ian Carpick
I've made this a few times, and each time, it seemed like something was missing; it was always a little bit one-note. Tonight, I tried adding a barspoon of Pernod anisette, and the hint of liquorice and bitterness harmonized surprisingly well with the Grand Marnier. This might become a regular for me.
score: 1
Tuber Magnatum Premium Member
Tried this tonight and took a flyer as per comments below and upped gin to 2 oz. I found this to be well balanced. What I would like to try next time though is to sub out the Grand Marnier for Cointreau; I found the Grand Marnier to be a bit unctuous for my palate.
score: 1
John CARR Premium Member
So, in terms of the period, you’ve made an ‘improved’ cocktail. Congrats!
score: 1
Dave Smith
A great cocktail! I agree with comments that it is a little sweet. Next time I’ll dial back the grand marnier and increase the gin.
score: 1
Annabelle Egginton
Nice but slightly too soft in taste because of the mellow and sweet orange liqueur and red vermouth. I added 10ml of dry Sherry just to balance out that sweetness.
score: 3
John CARR Premium Member
Found it on the sweet side ( as commented by others below) but improved as it warmed up actually.. and with a few other experimental cocktails on board… this grew on me! A classic of it’s time - and today?!?
score: 2

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Difford’s Shop logo
$3.09 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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