Thunder Bird
The Thunder Bird cocktail is strong, citrusy, and slightly sweet. It has a robust flavor profile with a hint of tartness from the lemon juice and a subtle sweetness from the sugar syrup.
Roulette Cocktail Recipe
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Roulette Nutrition Facts
Calories:220
Fat:0g
Protein:0g
Carbohydrates:15g
Alcohol percent:20%
Created by
Nic Polotnianko
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
Contents
History
The Roulette cocktail is a classic drink that dates back to the early 20th century. It was first created in the famous Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco, where high rollers would enjoy this luxurious drink while playing roulette. The cocktail quickly gained popularity among the elite and became a symbol of sophistication and elegance.
- The Roulette cocktail is often associated with high-stakes gambling and luxurious lifestyles.
- It is believed that the drink was named after the popular casino game due to its unpredictable nature and the element of chance involved in both the game and the cocktail's creation.
- The Roulette cocktail has been featured in numerous movies and TV shows, further cementing its status as a classic and iconic drink.
How Roulette Tastes?
The Roulette cocktail offers a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and bitter flavors. The combination of citrus, herbal, and fruity notes creates a refreshing and complex taste profile. The drink is smooth, with a slightly tangy finish.
Interesting facts about Roulette
- The Roulette cocktail is often served in a martini glass, adding to its sophisticated and elegant appearance.
- The drink is sometimes garnished with a lemon twist or a cherry, adding a pop of color and a touch of sweetness.
- The Roulette cocktail is a versatile drink that can be enjoyed year-round, making it a popular choice for both casual and formal occasions.
Ingredients
- Gin: 2 oz(60ml)
- Lemon juice: 0.75 oz(23ml)
- St. germain: 0.5 oz(15ml)
- Aperol: 0.5 oz(15ml)
- Simple syrup: 0.25 oz(8ml)
- Lemon twist: 1
- Garnish cherry: 1
A few good options for Roulette are:
- Brockmans
- Silent Pool Gin
- Hendrick's Gin
GIN: 2oz
Used as the base spirit, gin provides a complex herbal and floral backdrop. Too much, and your drink is a juniper bomb; too little, and it's lost among the other ingredients. A classic substitution would be vodka for a milder flavor.
Mary Mitkina
LEMON JUICE: 0.75oz
This brings balance with its bright acidity; it cuts through the sweetness and complements the gin. Without it, the cocktail would be cloying. Replace with lime juice for a tangier edge.
Mary Mitkina
ST. GERMAIN: 0.5oz
An elderflower liqueur that adds a sweet floral note. Overdoing it would make your cocktail overly sweet and floral. A substitute could be another floral liqueur, like Crème de Violette, for a different profile.
Alex Green
APEROL: 0.5oz
Brings a light bitterness and complexity to the drink, along with its signature orange color. Too much can overpower the drink, too little and it's unbalanced. Campari could be used for a bolder bitter flavor.
Mary Mitkina
SIMPLE SYRUP: 0.25oz
Just enough to sweeten without overpowering. Too much syrup will make the drink syrupy; too little and it may be too tart. Using honey syrup could add a heavier, more aromatic sweetness.
Mary Mitkina
LEMON TWIST: 1
A garnish that adds an aromatic zest to the nose before you take a sip. Without it, you're missing a layer of sensory delight. A lime twist could provide a more tropical aroma.
Alex Green
GARNISH_CHERRY: 1
Provides a touch of sweetness and an attractive visual contrast. Skip this, and you'll rob your cocktail of its full aesthetic potential. An olive could be a savory substitution for a different taste contrast.
Mary Mitkina
Recipe. How to make Roulette Drink
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add the gin, lemon juice, St. Germain, Aperol, and simple syrup to the shaker.
- Shake well until chilled and well combined.
- Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass.
- Garnish with a lemon twist and a cherry.
Pro Tips
- Chill your martini glass before pouring the cocktail to keep it cold longer.
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for a brighter, fresher flavor.
- Shake the cocktail shaker until it's frosty on the outside for a well-chilled drink.
Perfect Pairings
Appetizers
- Charcuterie: The herbal and citrus notes in the Roulette cocktail complement the savory flavors found in cured meats and assorted cheeses.
- Seafood: Try it with oysters or shrimp cocktail; the lemon juice's acidity cuts through the richness of seafood.
- Salads: A fresh arugula salad with a lemon-based vinaigrette will echo the cocktail's bright flavors.
Desserts
- Lemon Tart: The tartness of lemon in the dessert aligns with the lemon juice in the cocktail.
- Berry Sorbet: The fruity and slightly bitter notes from the Aperol and St. Germain can balance the sweetness of a berry sorbet.
Drinks
- Sparkling Water: Between sips of your cocktail, cleanse your palate with some refreshing sparkling water.
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What you could change in Roulette
- Vodka can be used instead of gin for a different flavor profile.
- Lime juice can replace lemon juice for a more tart flavor.
- Orange liqueur can be used in place of St. Germain for a more citrusy taste.
Explore all drinks starting with R here
And of course - twists🍹
Cucumber Roulette
Change the gin for a cucumber-infused gin and garnish with a thin cucumber slice instead of the lemon twist. This twist adds a refreshing vegetal note, making it perfect for a summery garden party.
Ingredients: cucumber-infused gin, lemon juice, St. Germain, Aperol, simple syrup, cucumber slice. Recipe: Same as above, with the cucumber gin and cucumber garnish.
Spicy Roulette
Add a dash of hot sauce or muddled jalapeño to the shaker before adding the other ingredients. It's a bold move for those who want a cocktail with a kick. The spice will play well with the sweetness of St. Germain and the bitterness of Aperol.
Ingredients: gin, lemon juice, St. Germain, Aperol, simple syrup, hot sauce/jalapeño, lemon twist, cherry garnish. Recipe: Muddle the hot sauce/jalapeño in the shaker, then add the rest and proceed.
Bitter Roulette
Swap the Aperol for Campari and increase its volume to match the St. Germain for a more bitter and punchy profile, a nod to the classic Negroni lovers.
Ingredients: gin, lemon juice, St. Germain, Campari, simple syrup, lemon twist, cherry garnish. Recipe: Increase Campari to 0.5 oz, follow the original recipe.
In case you forgot basics how to make Roulette
The basic composition of simple syrup is relatively straightforward – a 1:1 ratio of sugar and water. This mixture is heated until the sugar dissolves, resulting in a clear, sweet syrup.
Learn everything about simple syrupAdd your ingredients to the shaker first, then ice. Fill it up to ¾ of its capacity to ensure enough space for shaking. Hold the shaker with both hands (one on the top and one on the bottom) and shake vigorously. The shake should come from your shoulders, not your wrists.
Learn everything on how to shakePlace 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 strainGarnishing 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 garnishingFind the cocktail you'd love!
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Frequently Asked Questions on Roulette
What kind of gin works best in a Roulette cocktail?
You can use most types of quality dry gin, but an artisanal gin could add extra complexity to the cocktail.
Is the Roulette considered to be a strong cocktail?
Yes, it tends to be on the stronger side due to its high alcohol content.
Is 'Roulette' a common cocktail or rather rare?
The 'Roulette' is a classic cocktail but not as common as ones like the Martini or the Old Fashioned.
Does Aperol dominate the taste of the Roulette cocktail?
No, while Aperol adds unique bitterness and orange flavors, it doesn't overpower the other components in the drink.
Can I prepare a Roulette cocktail without a shaker?
Yes, while a cocktail shaker is recommended for the best blend of flavors, you can also stir the ingredients with ice in a large glass or jar.
Does it matter whether the lemon twist is added before or after pouring the drink into the glass?
This mostly comes down to personal preference. Pouring the cocktail over the twist can help release the lemon's aromatic oils, but adding it afterwards will offer a stronger scent.
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