If you swap the gin for vodka, it technically becomes a u0022Screwdriver with Vermouth.u0022 It will lack the botanical depth, but it will still be a pleasant orange drink.

Bronx Cocktail Recipe - Lulu's Copycats

This Bronx Cocktail is a real show stopper, perfect for a pre-dinner aperitif or a classic cocktail hour. It isn’t usually made with fresh blood orange juice—standard orange juice is the norm—but we’ve used it here to give the drink a stunning crimson hue and a more complex berry-like tartness. To make it extra silky, you can add a dash of orange bitters before shaking. Not traditional, maybe, but very delicious.

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Bronx Cocktail Recipe Ingredients

1 ounce gin (a London Dry style works best)
2 ounces orange juice (freshly squeezed)
1/2 ounce sweet vermouth
1/2 ounce dry vermouth
Ice cubes
Orange twist, for garnish

How To Make Bronx Cocktail Recipe

Prep the shaker: Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes.
Add ingredients: Pour in the gin, fresh orange juice, sweet vermouth, and dry vermouth.
Shake: Secure the lid tightly. Shake vigorously for a full 30 seconds. The shaker should feel frosty on the outside. This long shake is crucial to aerate the orange juice and create a frothy texture.
Strain: Strain the mixture through a Hawthorne strainer (or fine mesh sieve) into a chilled cocktail glass (coupe or martini glass).
Garnish: Twist a strip of orange peel over the glass to express the oils, then drop it in or hook it on the rim. Serve immediately.

Recipe Tips

Fresh Juice Only: Since orange juice is the dominant ingredient, do not use carton juice. Freshly squeezed juice provides a brightness and acidity that bottled juice simply cannot match.
The Perfect Vermouth: Vermouth is a wine-based product that oxidizes. Ensure your vermouth has been stored in the fridge and isn’t months old, or it will taste like vinegar and ruin the drink.
Chill Your Glass: Place your cocktail glass in the freezer for 10 minutes before serving. A frosty glass keeps the drink crisp and refreshing from the first sip to the last.
Gin Selection: Use a juniper-forward gin (like Tanqueray or Beefeater). The strong herbal notes stand up well against the sweetness of the orange juice and vermouth.

What To Serve With Bronx Cocktail Recipe

This Bronx Cocktail Recipe is essentially a “perfect martini with orange juice,” making it an ideal aperitif. It pairs wonderfully with salty bar snacks like Marinated Olives or Spiced Nuts. For a more substantial pairing, serve it alongside Shrimp Cocktail or Smoked Salmon Canapés, as the acidity of the orange juice cuts through the rich seafood perfectly.

How To Store Bronx Cocktail Recipe

Batching: You can mix the gin and vermouths in a pitcher ahead of time and store in the fridge.
Freshness: Do not add the orange juice until you are ready to shake and serve. Citrus juice oxidizes quickly and will lose its vibrant flavor if mixed too early.

Bronx Cocktail Recipe Nutrition Facts

Calories: 140 kcal
Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 0g

Nutrition information is estimated per cocktail.

FAQs

Why is it called a Bronx?

Legend has it the drink was created at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in the early 1900s and named after the newly opened Bronx Zoo. It was arguably the first cocktail to use fruit juice.

Can I use vodka?

If you swap the gin for vodka, it technically becomes a “Screwdriver with Vermouth.” It will lack the botanical depth, but it will still be a pleasant orange drink.

Can I make it frothy?

Shaking hard with ice creates a natural froth from the orange juice. For an even foamier top, you can add half an egg white and dry shake (shake without ice) before shaking with ice.