Ingredients
- 1.25 ozLondon dry gin
- 0.5 ozPassion fruit syrup
- 0.25 ozVelvet falernum
- 0.25 ozOrgeat
- 0.5 ozFresh lemon juice
- 🍋Lemon wheel or edible flower(garnish)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
- Shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds.
- Double strain into a chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel or edible flower.
📜 History
The Saturn was created by J. "Popo" Galsini at the Kona Kai Resort in Southern California in 1967, during the Space Race era when celestial-themed cocktails were popular. Galsini won the International Bartender's Association World Championship with this recipe, helping the Americans win the team event for the first time. Originally named the X-15 after the experimental rocket plane, Galsini renamed it Saturn following a fatal X-15 crash, choosing instead to honor NASA's Saturn rocket program. The drink subsequently faded into obscurity for decades until Jeff "Beachbum" Berry rediscovered it, finding Popo's original recipe printed on a commemorative glass in a thrift shop. Berry republished the recipe in his book Beachbum Berry Remixed, introducing it to a new generation. The Saturn stands out among tiki drinks for using gin rather than rum, creating a unique flavor profile where juniper interacts with passion fruit and orgeat. Today it's celebrated as one of the great lost tiki recipes.