Name: London Calling Cocktail Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients: 50 ml Gin; 15 ml Fino; 15 ml lemon juice (freshly squeezed); 15 ml Sugar syrup; 2 dashes Orange bitters; 1 piece Grapefruit peel

London Calling

Description

What it is: A crisp modern gin sour sharpened by fino sherry, lemon, rich syrup and orange bitters.

The story: Chris Jepson created London Calling at Milk & Honey in London in 2002 for a Drinks International competition. Its staying power comes from using fino sherry not as a dominant fortified wine but as a dry, savoury seasoning for gin and citrus.

Why it works: Gin supplies botanicals, lemon gives bite, fino contributes saline almond-like dryness, and orange bitters bridge the citrus and juniper. A grapefruit twist adds aroma without making the liquid sweeter.

Ingredients

50 ml Gin
15 ml Fino
15 ml lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
15 ml Sugar syrup
2 dashes Orange bitters
1 piece Grapefruit peel

Equipment needed

Cocktail Shaker – For chilling the citrus and sherry build. Fine Mesh Strainer – Recommended for a clean straight-up serve.

Instructions

Chill a coupe and cut a fresh strip of grapefruit peel.
Add gin, fino sherry, lemon juice, rich sugar syrup and orange bitters to a shaker.
Fill with ice and shake hard until very cold.
Fine strain into the chilled coupe.
Express the grapefruit peel over the surface and use it as garnish.

Recommended glassware

Coupe Glass (recommended)

An elegant stemmed glass for shaken or stirred cocktails served up.

120–240 ml Stemmed glass with a broad shallow bowl.

Best for: Daiquiri, Sidecar, Manhattan served up, Gimlet, Clover Club.

Garnish: Great for expressed citrus peels, cherries, and small edible flowers.

Quick facts

5 mins Easy Approx. 17.7% ABV 2.3 units 175 kcal None in serving glass

London Calling recipe.