A strong and citrus-forward drink, the Pegu Club is a historic cocktail from a bygone era.
Tonight’s cocktail is something I’d imagine Rudyard Kipling drinking. The famous author of short stories and novels, Kipling is most well-known for The Jungle Book and The Man Who Would Be King, along with many other titles. The writer was born and raised in British Colonial India, and this upbringing informed and inspired the majority of his work. The Pegu Club drink is also a product of this time in our world’s history.
A subtle riff on the Gin Sour, and also reminiscent of a Margarita, the Pegu Club originated in British-occupied Burma in the early 20th century. The cocktail is named for a bar called The Pegu Club, which opened in Rangoon (present-day Yangon, Myanmar) in 1880 and catered to the upper-crust of the British military’s top brass. When the recipe made its way into Harry Craddock’s The Savoy Cocktail Book in 1930, its worldwide reputation seemed to be assured, until the mixture’s status in the drink community waned after the Second World War.
Decades later, in 2005, bartender Audrey Saunders gave the cocktail a new lease on life after she opened her own establishment in New York City, aptly named The Pegu Club. The historic drink became the bar’s signature beverage, and its popularity helped breathe new life into the tasty tipple. Sadly, The Pegu Club closed its doors in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but we can still treat ourselves to its namesake wherever we are.
What Is The Best Gin To Use In A Pegu Club Cocktail?
Having made my share of gin cocktails and sours, I’d recommend whipping up tonight’s recipe with a tried and true London Dry. A juniper-forward Bombay Sapphire will make your cocktail a more herbaceous affair, while a Tanqueray will be dry, crisp and balanced, allowing the other flavors in the drink to shine a little more. But as legendary bartender Alessandro Palazzi has said, the best gin is your favorite.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- 1 ounce triple sec
- 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon simple syrup optional
- 1 dash orange bitters
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
Instructions
- Add the gin, triple sec, fresh lime juice, optional simple syrup, and both bitters into a cocktail shaker.
- Fill the shaker about two-thirds full with ice and shake well for about 15 seconds until thoroughly chilled.
- Double strain into a chilled coupe glass and enjoy!
Nutrition
WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH ARE USED?
Chill a coupe in your freezer for around thirty minutes before pouring your drink in. This will give you an extra cold and smooth cocktail. Garnish with a lemon twist if you like.
IS THERE A “RIGHT” AMOUNT OF LIME JUICE?
The older version of this cocktail is traditionally made with a smaller amount of lime juice, so experiment and play around with how much you prefer in your drink.
Similar Cocktails To The Pegu Club
Gin and citrus go hand in hand. The two are as famous a duo as Batman and Robin, or Han Solo and Chewbacca. Maybe I’m exaggerating… But then again, maybe I’m not. Consider some of these classic drinks, and the teamwork behind a nice London Dry working together with a buoyant, sweet and tart lemon or lime.
- Gin Rickey – Gin and lime juice topped with club soda over ice is one of the most refreshing cocktails you’ll ever have.
- Gin Fizz – Smooth, frothy and refreshing, it doesn’t get much better than this delicious treat.
- Tom Collins – Fizzy, fresh and strong, this lemon-forward drink is one of my favorites.
- French 75 – Top your next Gin Sour with champagne to make this elegant elixir.
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