Recipes

Original Recipe No. 134 —

The Fencer

Gin Cocktails

The Lucien Gaudin is a classic but obscure cocktail that celebrates the well decorated French early 20th century fencer of the same name. You may notice it shares similarities with the Negroni. Both feature gin and Campari. The Lucien Gaudin however has the distinct presence of orange, both from the flavor with the Cointreau and in aroma of the orange peel garnish. The Lucien Gaudin is a dry, crisp classic that is light on its feet.

Lucian Gaudin

  • 1 oz gin
  • 1/2 oz Cointreau
  • 1/2 oz Campari 
  • 1/2 oz dry vermouth
  • Garnish with an orange twist

I’ve created a modern twist on the classic above that shifts the orientation from orange to grapefruit. With the craft brew scene gaining popularity in the United States I decided to feature a familiar flavor profile, the pairing of hops and grapefruit. I made a grapefruit hop syrup that gives this recipe a magnificent citrus and hop aroma. And I paired that with the citrusy quinine bite of Cocchi Americano.  I also like how the subtle Artemisia flower notes pair with the hops. Bluecoat Gin is my choice of gin here. Feel free to deviate. I chose it because its aroma and palette includes a lot of citrus.

The Fencer

  • 1 1/2 oz Bluecoat Gin
  • 3/4 oz Cocchi Americano 
  • 1/2 oz Campari 
  • 1/2 oz grapefruit hop syrup
  • 2 dashes of Post Prohibition Pick Me Up Bitters
  • Garnish with a grapefruit twist

Stir all ingredients except the garnish with ice. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with the grapefruit twist.

5 Notes on The Fencer

  1. The Post Prohibition Pick Me Up Bitters recipe please :)

    Considering how great your citrous bitters were, and how well the post about the was written, it would certainly make for a great next blog entry.

    Best,

    Paul

  2. Hi,

    LOVE your site. Great recipes and inspiring flavors. I too have been dabbling in homebrewing and left wanting to do something with the hops in cocktails. Your grapefruit hop syrup lit a fire and I came up with a variation based on your variation and mixed it up on TV for our local news station (http://​buff​.ly/​Z​h​J​qwy ). Thanks again for such inspirational posts. Keep it up!

    Best,
    Greg
    @craftcocktails

  3. Not sure about the flavors in your Pick Me Up Bitters, but if making this with Bittermens ‘Elemakule is wrong (I threw caution to the wind, sue me), I don’t want to be right. Amazing cocktail.

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