Calories:215
Fat:0g
Protein:0g
Carbohydrates:10g
Alcohol:22%
I fell in love with the art of mixology 6 years ago. Since then, I've honed my skills, crafting a myriad of cocktail recipes, and sharing my passion with other enthusiasts.
Last Updated: January 7, 2024
The Alaska Cocktail is a classic gin-based cocktail with origins dating back to the early 1900s. It is believed to have been created in honor of the Alaskan Gold Rush, and its popularity spread across the United States during the Prohibition era. This cocktail is a favorite among gin enthusiasts and those who appreciate a well-balanced, herbal drink.
The Alaska Cocktail is a complex and herbal drink, with a slightly sweet and citrusy undertone. It has a strong, bold flavor profile, with a smooth and silky finish.
A few good options for Alaska are:
2 oz of gin is the backbone of our Alaska cocktail. It's like the rhythm to a song, if you go off beat, the whole thing jumbles! Too little gin, you might as well be drinking a herbal tea. Too much, and you'll overpower the delicate dance of flavors with a punch of juniper. Gin brings a range of botanicals to the party that sets the stage for the rest of our ingredients.
At 0.75 oz, Yellow Chartreuse kicks in with its sweet, herby touch. This French liqueur is like the enigmatic character in a novel you can’t quite figure out - complex with hints of honey, saffron, and anise. Skip it, and you skip the heart of the drink. Less, and it doesn’t sing; more, and you lose the gin to a chorus of herbs.
A couple of dashes, precisely 2, of orange bitters act like the zesty best friend - they bring out the best in gin and Chartreuse, highlighting the drink's depth. They’re the cherry on top, or, well, the bitters in the glass! Without them, our Alaska is like a night sky without stars – still good but lacking that sparkle.
This garnish isn't just here to look pretty. When you express a lemon twist, you're spritzing citrus oils that brighten the whole cocktail. It's like adding a spritz of cologne before a night out – it completes the ensemble. No lemon twist, and the cocktail feels a bit less cheery, like an Alaska without the Northern Lights.
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Ingredients:
Recipe: Prepare as per the original, but add a pinch of smoked salt before stirring. The smoky hint turns our Alaska into a campfire story - warm, intriguing, and perfect for those can't-resist-another-sip moments.
Ingredients:
Recipe: Adjust the Yellow Chartreuse to allow room for the elderflower's floral whispers. Stir together and prepare for a bouquet of flowers in your glass, turning each sip into a springtime frolic.
Ingredients:
Recipe: Infuse the gin with berries for a colorful twist. Add a dash less of bitters to balance the sweetness of the syrup. This variant is like a walk through a berry patch, whimsical yet sophisticated.
Place your chosen strainer on top of the shaker or mixing glass, ensuring a secure fit. Pour the cocktail into a glass through the strainer, which will catch solid ingredients and ice. If double straining, hold the fine mesh strainer between the shaker and the glass.
Learn everything on how to strainInsert the spoon into the glass until it touches the bottom. Keep the back of the spoon against the inside wall of the glass, and stir in a smooth, circular motion. The goal is to swirl the ice and ingredients together without churning or splashing.
Learn everything on how to stirGarnishing a bar drink depends on the type of garnish and the cocktail. Generally, it involves preparing the garnish (like cutting a citrus wheel or picking a sprig of mint), and then adding it to the drink in a visually appealing way (like perching it on the rim or floating it on top).
Learn everything on garnishingIf you want to drink something else - you can use our AI-augmented search to find the best cocktail for you!
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A gin with a botanical flavor works best in the Alaska cocktail, the botanicals blend nicely with the Yellow Chartreuse. However, the choice of gin can greatly influence the overall taste of the cocktail; so feel free to experiment with different types to find your personal preference.
The origin of the name 'Alaska Cocktail' is somewhat unclear. While it might seem logical to assume it's popular or originates from Alaska, historical evidence suggests that's not the case. The most likely explanation is that its name is a nod to the icy, cold landscapes of Alaska, capturing the cool crispness of the drink.
Yes, a non-alcoholic or 'mocktail' version could be made by substituting the gin and Yellow Chartreuse with non-alcoholic spirits. Non-alcoholic gins and herb flavored syrups could mimic the flavors of their alcoholic counterparts.
The Alaska cocktail is more on the herbal and slightly sweet side due to the Yellow Chartreuse. The gin brings a crisp, dry flavor to the cocktail, which balances the sweetness.
Part of the appeal of the Alaska Cocktail is its versatility. While it can be enjoyed year-round, its citrusy undertone and refreshing gin base may make it more appealing in the summer, whereas the herbal notes from the Yellow Chartreuse can be comforting in the winter.
The Yellow Parrot has a complex, exotic taste that is both sweet and sour, with a hint of bitterness. The combination of apricot brandy, yellow Chartreuse, and gin creates a unique flavor profile that is fruity, herbal, and slightly spicy.
The Ultima Palabra is a complex and intriguing cocktail. It's smoky from the mezcal, herbal from the yellow Chartreuse, sweet from the Luxardo Maraschino liqueur, and tart from the fresh lime juice. The flavors are bold and well-balanced, making for a sip that's both refreshing and deeply satisfying.
The 'Almost Famous' cocktail offers a symphony of flavors. The overproof Jamaican rum provides a strong, molasses-rich backbone, while the yellow Chartreuse adds sweet, complex herbal notes. Aperol introduces a delightful bitterness and citrusy edge, and the fresh lime juice balances the sweetness with a refreshing tartness. Overall, it's a potent, well-rounded drink with a lingering herbal aftertaste.
The Bijou cocktail has a complex and well-balanced taste, featuring herbal and botanical notes from the gin and green Chartreuse, sweetness from the sweet vermouth, and a hint of bitterness from the orange bitters. It is a strong, rich, and slightly sweet drink with a smooth and velvety texture.
The Tuxedo cocktail is a complex and balanced drink with a slightly sweet, herbal, and citrusy flavor profile. It has a smooth and silky texture, with a hint of bitterness from the vermouth and a warming, slightly spicy finish from the gin.
The Bamboo cocktail has a delicate, balanced taste with a hint of sweetness and a touch of dryness. It is light, refreshing, and slightly herbal, making it a perfect choice for an aperitif or a sophisticated afternoon drink.
The Daiquiri is a refreshing, tangy, and slightly sweet cocktail with a hint of citrus. It has a light and crisp taste, making it perfect for warm weather or as an aperitif.
The Negroni is a well-balanced cocktail with a bitter, sweet, and herbal taste. It has a strong, bold flavor with a hint of citrus and a smooth, velvety finish.
The Aperol Spritz has a refreshing, bittersweet taste with a hint of citrus. It is light, effervescent, and slightly herbal, making it a perfect balance of sweet and bitter flavors.
The Martini has a crisp, clean, and slightly herbal taste. It is a strong and sophisticated cocktail with a hint of bitterness from the vermouth.
The Margarita is a well-balanced cocktail with a bright, citrusy flavor. It is both sweet and sour, with the tanginess of lime juice complementing the sweetness of the orange liqueur. The tequila adds a strong, earthy backbone, while the salt rim enhances the overall taste and adds a savory touch.
The Old Fashioned has a rich, complex taste that is both sweet and bitter. The whiskey provides a strong, warming base, while the sugar and bitters add a touch of sweetness and a hint of spice. The orange and cherry garnish add a subtle fruity note.
The Long Island Iced Tea is a complex blend of flavors, combining the sweetness of cola and sour mix with the boldness of multiple spirits. It is a strong, yet surprisingly smooth cocktail with a slightly bitter aftertaste.
The Gin and Tonic is a refreshing, crisp, and slightly bitter cocktail with a hint of sweetness. The botanical flavors of the gin are complemented by the sharpness of the tonic water, creating a balanced and invigorating drink.
The Singapore Sling has a complex, fruity taste with a balance of sweet, sour, and bitter notes. It is refreshing, tangy, and slightly effervescent, with a hint of herbal undertones.
