Name: Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster
Total time: 5 min
Cuisine: Cocktail
Ingredients: 10 fresh Basil leaves; 20 ml Vodka; 20 ml Black raspberry liqueur; 15 ml Triple sec; 5 ml Grand Marnier; 50 ml Cranberry juice; 50 ml Strawberry purée

Ingredients

10 fresh

Basil leaves

²⁄₃ fl oz

Ketel One Vodka

²⁄₃ fl oz

Bols Black Raspberry Liqueur

¹⁄₂ fl oz

Cointreau L'Unique triple sec liqueur

¹⁄₆ fl oz

Grand Marnier or other cognac orange liqueur

1 ²⁄₃ fl oz

Cranberry juice (sweetened)

1 ²⁄₃ fl oz

Strawberry purée

How to make

Glassware

Prepare

Select and pre-chill a MARTINI (LARGE 10OZ) GLASS.

Prepare garnish of ground black pepper.

Method

SHAKE all ingredients with ice.

STRAIN into glass filled with crushed ice.

Garnish

Dust with freshly ground black pepper.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol

Medium

Boozy

Sweet

Medium

Dry/sour

Health & Nutrition

Alcohol content:

1.1 standard drinks
9.28% alc./vol. (18.57° proof)
15.9 grams of pure alcohol

History

Based on the Basil Grande, this recipe for the legendary Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster was created circa 2011 by Christos Chouseas at his Bar 42 in Athens, Greece – a bar where the work of Douglas Adams influenced many of the drink names.

In Adams' thought-provoking and amusing book, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, the number 42 is the "answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything", while the Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster is considered by the Guide to be the "Best Drink in Existence."

According to the guide, the original Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster was invented by ex-President of the Universe Zaphod Beeblebrox. "After two of those babies, the dullest, most by-the-book Vogon will be up on the bar in stilettos, yodeling mountain shanties and swearing he's the king of the Gray Binding Fiefdoms of Saxaquine."

Review

Orange, basil and red berries laced with vodka makes for a well-balanced, easy-drinking fruity cocktail - arguably too easy for a drink titled Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster which is said to be like "having your brains smashed in by a slice of lemon wrapped round a large gold brick." Remember, Beeblebrox advises, "never drink more than two Pan Galactic Gargle Blasters unless you are a thirty ton mega elephant with bronchial pneumonia."

AKA: Pangalactic Gargle Blaster

Comments & Discussion

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Joseph Murray 8w

There are many different recipes for “strawberry puree”, some with lemon, some with sugar, some with neither, some reduced over heat, some just processed cold. Any suggestions what is recommended here?

Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member 8w

A brand like Boiron Strawberry puree, either frozen or ambient. 99% strawberry, hassle-free and better than homemade.

John CARR Premium Member 2y

I really did feel like an alien from a distant planet! Quite worth the fuss of strawberries and basil- all from fresh here. Feels like something Heston Blumenthal might have dreamt up. I enjoyed the combination of savoury, sweet … and peppery!