Red Lion Cocktail
A BevX Cocktail Recipe
The Red Lion is a 1930s Gin-based cocktail that is a sour that is sweetened with orange Liqueur, frequently Grand Marnier. It is associated with London’s Café Royal. The recipe for the Red Lion first appeared in print in W. J. (“Billy”) Tarling’s Café Royal Cocktail Book in 1937. In the book, Billy Tarling credits Arthur Tarling with inventing the drink in 1933. Arthur appears to have been Billy’s older brother, but we can not confirm. It is speculated that the drink takes its name from Booth’s Gin and the classic brand’s red lion logo. We would love to see a revival of this great classic drink.
Ingredients
1 oz. London Dry Gin
1 oz. Wood Aged Orange Liqueur (like Grand Marnier)
.5 oz. Fresh lemon juice
.5 oz. Fresh orange juice
1 dash of orange bitters
Occasion
This classic cocktail is welcome any time of the year — any time you would enjoy a sour. It's ultra refreshing and an ideal aperitif.
Method
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with a scoopful of ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. No garnish is required, but an orange slice would be welcome.
Variations
The most commonly seen variations in the recipe offer differing volumes of citrus juice. We like a half ounce of both orange and lemon juice. You can alter the drink with your choice of Gin, and you can use orange Curaçao instead of the traditional use of Grand Marnier. While the drink is typically served strained in a coupe glass you can starin it and serve over fresh ice.
Source: Classic