The Statesman Cocktail is a well-balanced drink with the juniper-forward gin providing a nice contrast to the sweetness of the vermouth and orange liqueur, while the bitters add a touch of complexity and depth. The orange peel garnish adds a nice aroma and flavor to the drink, making it perfect for sipping on a warm summer evening.
The moment I took my first sip, I knew I was in for a treat. The gin is absolutely top-notch, providing a juniper-forward backbone that is perfectly balanced by the sweetness of the vermouth and orange liqueur. The bitters add a touch of complexity and depth, making this cocktail truly irresistible.
Appearance-wise, it has a beautiful amber color that is just mesmerizing to look at. It’s crystal clear and has a nice bead on the surface.
The aroma is equally amazing. As soon as I took my first sniff, I was hit with a wonderful combination of juniper, orange, and a hint of spice from the bitters.

On the palate, the Statesman Cocktail is incredibly smooth and well-balanced. The gin is dominant at the start, but it quickly gives way to the sweetness of the vermouth and orange liqueur. The bitters add a touch of spice and complexity that makes this cocktail truly unique. The finish is long and satisfying, leaving a pleasant aftertaste in the mouth that makes me want to take another sip.
Overall, the Statesman Cocktail is a truly extraordinary creation. It’s perfect for sipping on a warm summer evening or any time you want to indulge in a truly delicious and sophisticated drink. I highly recommend this cocktail to anyone looking for a truly memorable drinking experience. It’s the perfect balance of flavors, aromas and colors. I give it a perfect score!
Ingredients for the Statesman Cocktail
Ingredient | Quantity | Description |
---|---|---|
Gin | 2 oz | The base spirit for the cocktail. Gin is a clear, distilled spirit that is flavored primarily with juniper berries. It provides a juniper-forward flavor that is balanced by the other ingredients in the cocktail. |
Sweet Vermouth | 3/4 oz | A fortified wine that is flavored with various herbs and spices. It provides a sweet and complex flavor that complements the gin. |
Orange Liqueur | 3/4 oz | An orange-flavored liqueur, such as Cointreau or Grand Marnier. It provides a sweet and fruity flavor that balances the gin and vermouth. |
Angostura Bitters | 1 dash | A bitter, aromatic cocktail ingredient made from a secret recipe of herbs and spices. It adds a touch of complexity and depth to the cocktail. |
Orange Peel | for garnish | A thin strip of orange peel that is used to garnish the cocktail. It adds a nice aroma and flavor to the drink. |
Each ingredient plays an important role in the Statesman Cocktail, providing a unique flavor and balancing the other ingredients.
- Gin is the base spirit for the cocktail, providing a juniper-forward flavor that is balanced by the other ingredients.
- Sweet vermouth is a fortified wine that is flavored with various herbs and spices. It provides a sweet and complex flavor that complements the gin.
- Orange Liqueur is a sweet and fruity ingredient that balances the gin and vermouth, adding a nice sweetness and orange flavor that makes the cocktail refreshing.
- Angostura bitters are a bitter, aromatic cocktail ingredient made from a secret recipe of herbs and spices. They add a touch of complexity and depth to the cocktail, rounding out the flavors and making it more interesting.
- Orange peel is used as a garnish, adding a nice aroma and flavor to the drink. It also adds a nice visual element to the cocktail and makes it more appealing to the eye.
Ingredients in the Statesman Cocktail are perfectly balanced to create a delicious and sophisticated drink that is sure to impress.
Equipment to make Statesman Cocktail
Equipment | Description |
---|---|
Mixing glass | A glass or metal container used to mix the ingredients of the cocktail. It should be large enough to hold the ingredients and enough ice to chill the mixture. |
Bar spoon | A long spoon with a twisted handle that is used for stirring the cocktail. It allows for slow and thorough mixing of the ingredients. |
Jigger | A small measuring cup with two sides, one for measuring out the liquids and the other for measuring out the solids. It is used to measure the exact amount of ingredients for the cocktail. |
Strainer | A tool used to strain out any ice or other solids from the cocktail mixture before pouring it into the glass. It ensures that the final drink is smooth and clear. |
Cocktail glass | A small, stemmed glass that is used to serve the finished cocktail. It should be chilled before use to keep the drink cold. |
Peeler or zester | A tool used to peel the rind off the orange without removing the white pith, used to make the orange peel garnish. |
All of this equipment can be easily found in a kitchen or bar equipment store. It’s not absolutely necessary to have all of them but it will make the preparation of the drink much easier and more efficient.

Step-by-step instruction on how to make Statesman Cocktail
- Begin by preparing your equipment. Chill a cocktail glass in the freezer and gather all the ingredients and equipment listed in the previous table.
- Measure out 2 oz of gin, 3/4 oz of sweet vermouth, 3/4 oz of orange liqueur and 1 dash of Angostura bitters using a jigger.
- Add the gin, vermouth, orange liqueur, and bitters to a mixing glass.
- Fill the mixing glass with ice and stir the ingredients with a bar spoon for about 20-30 seconds or until the mixture is well chilled.
- Place a strainer over the chilled cocktail glass. Slowly pour the mixture through the strainer into the glass, discarding any ice or solids that are left in the strainer.
- Take a strip of orange peel using a peeler or zester, twist it over the surface of the drink to express the oils and then place it on the rim of the glass as a garnish.
- The Statesman Cocktail is now ready to be served and enjoyed! Sip it slowly and savor the flavors and aromas.
It’s a quite simple recipe, but the result is a delicious, well balanced and sophisticated drink.
Note: Feel free to adjust the measurements of ingredients to suit your personal taste.
The perfect way to serve Statesman Cocktail
The perfect way to serve the Statesman Cocktail is in a chilled cocktail glass, garnished with a twist of orange peel.
- Start by chilling a cocktail glass in the freezer for a minimum of 10-15 minutes. This will ensure that the drink stays cold and that the flavors are at their best.
- Once the glass is chilled, prepare the cocktail following the instructions provided in the previous answer.
- Once the cocktail is ready, remove the chilled glass from the freezer and place a twist of orange peel on the rim of the glass.
- Carefully pour the cocktail into the chilled glass, taking care not to disturb the orange peel garnish.
- The Statesman Cocktail is now ready to be served!
- Present the cocktail on a coaster and enjoy it slowly, savoring the flavors and aromas.
- It’s best to serve it straight up, without ice, to keep the flavors intact.
The chilled glass and the orange peel garnish will enhance the aromas and flavors of the cocktail, making it a more enjoyable drinking experience. It’s perfect to be serve as a pre-dinner drink or as a night cap, it’s a very versatile cocktail.
FAQ
What is the origin of the Statesman Cocktail?
The origin of the Statesman Cocktail is not entirely clear. It’s a classic cocktail and it’s been around for decades. It’s possible that it was created in the early 20th century, but the exact origin and creator of the drink is not known.
What is the alcohol content of the Statesman Cocktail?
The alcohol content of the Statesman Cocktail will depend on the specific measurements of the ingredients used. However, using the measurements provided in the recipe, the alcohol content of the drink will be around 20% alcohol by volume (ABV).
Can I make the Statesman Cocktail with a different type of gin?
Yes, you can make the Statesman Cocktail with any type of gin that you prefer. However, the flavor of the drink will be affected by the type of gin used. A juniper-forward gin will provide a different flavor profile than a gin that is heavily influenced by other botanicals.
Can I make the Statesman Cocktail with a different type of orange liqueur?
Yes, you can make the Statesman Cocktail with any type of orange liqueur that you prefer, such as Cointreau, Grand Marnier or Curaçao. Each liqueur will provide a different flavor profile, so it’s good to try different ones and find the one you like the most.
Can I make the Statesman Cocktail with a different type of vermouth?
Yes, you can make the Statesman Cocktail with any type of vermouth that you prefer, such as sweet or dry vermouth. However, the flavor of the drink will be affected by the type of vermouth used, so it’s good to experiment with different types and find the one that you like the most.
Is the Statesman Cocktail suitable for vegans?
Most gins and orange liqueurs are vegan, but some vermouths are not, so it depends on the specific brand you use. It’s best to check the ingredients and make sure that no animal-derived products have been used in the production of the vermouth.
The Statesman Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Shaker
- 1 Rocks Glass
- 1 Jigger
- 1 Bar spoon
- 1 Peeler or zester
Ingredients
- 2 oz Gin
- ¾ oz Sweet Vermouth
- ¾ oz Orange Liqueur
- 1 dash Angostura Bitters
- Orange Peel for garnish
Instructions
- Begin by preparing your equipment. Chill a cocktail glass in the freezer and gather all the ingredients and equipment listed in the previous table.
- Measure out 2 oz of gin, 3/4 oz of sweet vermouth, 3/4 oz of orange liqueur and 1 dash of Angostura bitters using a jigger.
- Add the gin, vermouth, orange liqueur, and bitters to a mixing glass.
- Fill the mixing glass with ice and stir the ingredients with a bar spoon for about 20-30 seconds or until the mixture is well chilled.
- Place a strainer over the chilled cocktail glass. Slowly pour the mixture through the strainer into the glass, discarding any ice or solids that are left in the strainer.
- Take a strip of orange peel using a peeler or zester, twist it over the surface of the drink to express the oils and then place it on the rim of the glass as a garnish.
- The Statesman Cocktail is now ready to be served and enjoyed! Sip it slowly and savor the flavors and aromas.
Notes
- When making the Statesman Cocktail, it’s important to use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Use a good quality gin, vermouth, and orange liqueur.
- You can adjust the measurements of the ingredients to suit your personal taste. If you prefer a sweeter or more bitter drink, you can adjust the amount of vermouth, orange liqueur, or bitters accordingly.
- The cocktail is best served straight up, without ice, to keep the flavors intact.
- The orange peel garnish is optional but it’s highly recommended as it adds a nice aroma and flavor to the drink.
- If you don’t have a strainer, you can pour the drink through a fine mesh sieve or even a coffee filter.
- Experiment with different types of gin, vermouth and orange liqueur to find the combination that you like the most.
- This recipe is for one serving, but you can easily scale it up to make more servings.
- If you’re looking for a variation, you can try using a different type of bitters such as orange or chocolate bitters.
- Have fun and enjoy experimenting with this classic recipe!
Nutrition

I’m Michael Barnes and I love what I do. Every day, I get to work with the land and help create something that is essential for life. But it’s not always easy. Every day brings new challenges or unexpected natural disasters in order to produce what we need every day: meat; fruit, juice, and healthy dairy products!