Dempsey
Gin and Calvados with absinthe and grenadine. Named after boxer Jack Dempsey.
Stirred · Coupe · Medium · about 3 minutes · about 31% ABV
Ingredients
- 30 ml Gin
- 30 ml Apple brandy (Calvados)
- 2 dashes Absinthe
- 5 ml Grenadine
- Lemon twist (garnish)
Method
- Chill the glass
- Pour 30 ml gin into the mixing glass
- Pour 30 ml apple brandy (Calvados) into the mixing glass
- Add 2 dashes of absinthe
- Pour 5 ml grenadine into the mixing glass
- Add ice
- Stir
- Strain
- Garnish
Tip
Stir and strain.
About the Dempsey
The spirit-forward family. This is a spirit-forward drink, made mostly of spirit and liqueur with no juice to soften it. Drinks like this were the heart of the golden age of cocktails, from the 1860s to Prohibition in 1920, and many were collected in Harry Craddock's Savoy Cocktail Book (1930). Stir them cold and serve them small.
Dempsey FAQ
What's in a Dempsey?
30 ml gin, 30 ml apple brandy (calvados), 2 dashes absinthe, 5 ml grenadine, garnished with lemon twist.
How strong is a Dempsey?
About 31% ABV once mixed with ice, which is 2.0 Australian standard drinks per serve. That is close to a straight spirit, so sip it slowly.
Should I shake or stir a Dempsey?
Stir it. It is made only of spirits and wines, so stirring keeps it clear and silky. Shaking would make it cloudy and frothy.
What glass do you serve a Dempsey in?
A coupe, about 180 ml. Chill the glass first and serve without ice. No coupe? Use a martini glass or small wine glass.
