Monkey Gland

Monkey Gland

About the Monkey Gland cocktail

The Monkey Gland is a classic gin cocktail made with gin, orange juice, grenadine, and a small touch of absinthe. Despite its strange name, the drink itself is surprisingly approachable: citrusy, lightly sweet, and fruity, with the absinthe adding a subtle licorice-herbal finish.

The cocktail was created in the 1920s and named after the controversial work of Serge Voronoff, a doctor known for experiments involving animal gland transplants and anti-aging claims. The story behind the name is far more shocking than the drink, which remains a bright and unusual gin cocktail for anyone interested in quirky classics with a memorable backstory.

Glass Martini glassBase GinMethod Shaken

Ingredients

1 1/2 ozGin
1/2 ozAbsinthe
1 1/2 ozOrange juice
1/2 ozGrenadine

Instructions

  1. Chill a martini glass.
  2. Add all ingredients to a shaker.
  3. Shake with ice until well chilled (about 10–15 seconds).
  4. Strain into the chilled martini glass.
  5. Garnish with an orange slice.

Garnish

  • Orange slice

Flavor profile

FruitySourSweetCitrusHerbalElegantSophisticated

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IBA Unforgettables
IBA Unforgettables

Official International Bartenders Association (IBA) cocktail list: The Unforgettables.

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