Arsenic and Old Lace
A gin-and-absinthe stirred cocktail with crème de violette and dry vermouth that is bold, herbal, and hauntingly floral.
- 1¾ ozgin
- ¾ ozabsinthe
- ½ ozcrème de violette
- ¼ ozdry vermouth
- 1Chill a coupe glass.
- 2Combine gin, absinthe, crème de violette, and dry vermouth in a mixing glass.
- 3Fill the mixing glass with ice and stir for 20 to 25 seconds until well chilled and diluted.
- 4Strain into the chilled coupe glass.
- 5Serve without garnish.
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Arsenic and Old Lace is a pre-Prohibition-era cocktail that takes its name from Joseph Kesselring's 1941 dark comedy play, though recipes for this style of floral gin drink appeared in early 20th-century bar manuals. The drink gained renewed attention through its association with New York speakeasy bar Maison Premiere, whose version — gin with absinthe, crème de violette, and dry vermouth — became a signature of the craft cocktail revival. The stark contrast between the herbal punch of absinthe and the delicate sweetness of violet liqueur is what makes this cocktail memorable.
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