Army and Navy
Shake ∙ 3 min ∙ 23.5% ABV ∙
The Army and Navy is a classic sour built on London dry gin, fresh lemon juice, and almond orgeat, accented with Angostura bitters and shaken to a coupe. Rich marzipan sweetness rounds out a tart citrus backbone against a crisp botanical base, finishing with a complex spiced edge — a bright, easygoing pre-dinner drink.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Shake all ingredients with ice: London dry gin 60 mlLemon juice 25 mlOrgeat (almond) syrup 15 mlAngostura aromatic bitters 2 dashesSaline solution 1 dash
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
- Express a lemon twist over the cocktail and use as garnish
Tips
- Use a rich, well-made orgeat; thin or overly sweet syrup leaves the drink either flat or cloying against the lemon.
- Add the Angostura last and taste as you go — two dashes lift the almond note without turning it medicinal.
- Shake hard over plenty of ice so the orgeat fully emulsifies for a smooth, slightly silky texture.
- A single dash of saline is optional but tightens the balance, muting harsh edges and pushing the almond forward.
History
The Army and Navy, also written Army & Navy, dates to at least the 1930s. It sits among a small group of early orgeat sours alongside drinks like the Cameron's Kick and the Coo-ee Special, evidence of an almond-syrup vogue that predates the tropical cocktail era and drinks such as the Mai Tai. A modern house version at Dutch Kills in New York honors a longtime regular, a retired FDNY firefighter named Lou, who prefers hers with a cocktail cherry sunk to the bottom of the coupe and Angostura bitters dashed on top.
FAQ
Why is it called the Army and Navy cocktail?
The exact origin is undocumented. It was first published in David A. Embury’s 1948 book, The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks, and the name is generally assumed to be a nod to the Army and Navy Club in Washington, D.C., though no official record confirms this specific connection.
How do you make an Army and Navy?
Combine London dry gin, fresh lemon juice, almond orgeat, and a couple of dashes of Angostura bitters in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously to chill and dilute, then fine-strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a lemon twist. A dash of saline solution is a highly recommended optional addition to make the almond notes pop.
Can I use simple syrup instead of orgeat in an Army and Navy?
No. Orgeat (an almond syrup typically flavored with orange flower water) is the defining characteristic of this cocktail. If you substitute it with plain simple syrup, you will strip away the drink's signature nutty complexity, effectively turning it into a standard Gin Sour.
Is an Army and Navy shaken or stirred?
Shaken. The lemon juice and orgeat need the aeration and quick chill of a hard shake to emulsify; stirring would leave it flat and poorly integrated.
What kind of gin is best for an Army and Navy?
A juniper-forward London dry gin works best, giving the backbone to stand up to the sweet orgeat and tart lemon. A softer, more floral gin can get lost against the almond syrup.
What does orgeat syrup taste like?
Orgeat is a sweet almond syrup with a nutty, marzipan-like flavor, often carrying a faint floral note from orange flower or rose water. In this drink it adds body and rounds off the sharp lemon.
