Today we are celebrating the 49th and largest state in the Union with our take on the classic Alaska cocktail. It was on this day in 1959 that President Dwight Eisenhower signed a proclamation to grant statehood to the territory of Alaska.
The Alaska cocktail dates back farther than 1959. The recipe first appeared in 1913 shortly after Alaska became a territory. The original called for Old Tom Gin, Yellow Chartreuse and a dash of orange bitters. Flash forward to the publication of The Savoy Cocktail Book in 1930, and the Old Tom Gin is replaced by London Dry Gin and the bitters are omitted altogether.
For our version, we used a London Dry Gin with the bitters and Yellow Chartreuse. The Yellow Chartreuse gives the drink a sweet herbaceousness, creating a balanced cocktail that is the perfect choice when you’re looking for something botanical forward.
Ingredients 2 oz London Dry Gin ½ oz Yellow Chartreuse 2 dashes orange bitters
Combine the ingredients in a mixing glass. Add ice and stir until well chilled. Strain into a coupe and garnish with a lemon twist.