Fog Cutter
A fruity and sour rum cocktail ∙ Shake ∙ 3 min ∙ 14.6% ABV ∙
The Fog Cutter is a multi-spirit tiki drink blending white rum, gin, and cognac with orange and lemon juice, orgeat, and a sherry float.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Shake the first 6 ingredients with ice: White rum 45 mlLondon dry gin 15 mlCognac 20 mlOrange juice 30 mlOrgeat (almond) syrup 15 mlLemon juice 30 ml
- Strain into the glass filled with crushed ice
- Float Oloroso sherry 15 ml
- Garnish with a mint sprig
Tips
- Shake everything except the sherry hard for 10-12 seconds; three spirits need plenty of water before the 15 ml of oloroso goes on top.
History
The Fog Cutter is a tiki cocktail most commonly credited to Victor "Trader Vic" Bergeron, who first published it under that name in his 1946 book, Trader Vic's Book of Food and Drink. His version was a full-strength blend of rum, gin, brandy, citrus, orgeat, and a float of cream sherry. When Bergeron reprinted the recipe in his revised 1972 Bartender's Guide, he introduced it with a wry line warning that two of the potent drink were enough to leave a drinker unable to see straight. In the 1950s, he also debuted a milder spinoff, the Samoan Fog Cutter, with less liquor and blended rather than shaken.
Despite this attribution, there is no broad agreement on who actually invented the drink. Rival claims place its creation at other establishments, including a restaurant called Edna Fogcutter's and another crediting Bergeron's rival Don the Beachcomber, whose Hollywood bar strongly influenced Bergeron's own tiki creations. As with many tiki drinks, dozens of bars later produced their own variants and distinctive ceramic mugs for serving it, further blurring a single origin story while reinforcing Bergeron's role in popularizing the cocktail.
FAQ
What is in a Fog Cutter?
45 ml white rum, 20 ml cognac and 15 ml gin, shaken with 30 ml each of orange and lemon juice and 15 ml orgeat. A 15 ml float of oloroso sherry goes on top.
Who invented the Fog Cutter?
It is most commonly credited to Victor "Trader Vic" Bergeron, who first published the recipe in his 1946 book Trader Vic's Book of Food and Drink. Rival claims exist, including one crediting Don the Beachcomber.
Is the Fog Cutter similar to a Long Island Iced Tea?
Not really. Both mix several spirits, but a Long Island Iced Tea is a strong drink topped with cola. The Fog Cutter is a tiki drink: orgeat, orange and lemon juice and a sherry float give it nutty sweetness and fruit.
How strong is a Fog Cutter?
About 14.6% ABV, moderate for a drink with three spirits and a sherry float. The juices, orgeat and crushed ice dilute what would otherwise be a much stronger pour.
