Leap Year
Gin, Grand Marnier and sweet vermouth with a drop of lemon. Created for 29 February 1928.
Stirred · Coupe · Medium · about 3 minutes · about 27% ABV
Ingredients
- 45 ml Gin
- 15 ml Grand Marnier
- 15 ml Sweet vermouth
- 5 ml Fresh lemon juice
- Lemon twist (garnish)
Method
- Chill the glass
- Pour 45 ml gin into the mixing glass
- Pour 15 ml Grand Marnier into the mixing glass
- Pour 15 ml sweet vermouth into the mixing glass
- Add 5 ml fresh lemon juice
- Add ice
- Stir
- Strain
- Garnish
About the Leap Year
The vermouth cocktail family. Vermouth reached American bars in the 1860s and 1870s, and bartenders began stirring it with whiskey, gin and brandy. That gave us the Manhattan and the Martinez, the ancestor of the Martini. Drinks in this family are stirred rather than shaken, and they are all about the balance between the spirit and the aromatised wine.
Leap Year FAQ
What's in a Leap Year?
45 ml gin, 15 ml grand marnier, 15 ml sweet vermouth, 5 ml fresh lemon juice, garnished with lemon twist.
How strong is a Leap Year?
About 27% ABV once mixed with ice, which is 2.1 Australian standard drinks per serve. That is close to a straight spirit, so sip it slowly.
Should I shake or stir a Leap Year?
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 Leap Year in?
A coupe, about 180 ml. Chill the glass first and serve without ice. No coupe? Use a martini glass or small wine glass.
