Gin Daisy (Jerry Thomas Style)
A citrus, bubbly and refreshing gin cocktail ∙ Shake ∙ 3 min ∙ 15.7% ABV ∙
The Gin Daisy (Jerry Thomas Style) is an oude genever sour with Cognac orange liqueur, lemon juice and sugar syrup, topped with a splash of soda water.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Shake the first 4 ingredients with ice: Oude genever 45 mlCognac orange liqueur (e.g., Grand Marnier) 15 mlLemon juice 25 mlSugar syrup 10 ml
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
- Top with a splash of Soda water
- Garnish with a seasonal berry
Tips
- Shake only the genever, orange liqueur, lemon and syrup; add the soda splash after straining so it keeps its fizz.
History
The Daisy is a cocktail family whose first documented recipe appears in Jerry Thomas's 1876 edition of The Bar-Tender's Guide (also called The Bon-Vivant's Companion), which set out a formula of spirit, citrus, gum syrup, orange liqueur, and a topping of soda water. Thomas's book is the earliest source to actually define a Daisy. The style spread quickly to other base spirits: Harry Johnson's Bartenders' Manual later printed Whiskey and Brandy Daisies, while gin, rum, and other versions followed in bars and guides through the late 19th century.
By the early 20th century the formula had shifted: bartenders reduced the base spirit and often replaced the orange liqueur with grenadine, creating a second, sweeter style of Daisy that coexisted with the older, citrus-and-liqueur original. The Jerry Thomas-style Gin Daisy refers specifically to that earlier formula, preserving the original combination of spirit, orange liqueur, lemon, sugar, and soda rather than the later grenadine-based version.
FAQ
How do you make a Gin Daisy?
Shake genever, the orange liqueur, fresh lemon juice, and sugar syrup with ice, then fine-strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Top with a splash of soda water and garnish with a seasonal berry.
What's the difference between a sour and a Daisy?
A sour is simply spirit, citrus, and sugar shaken together, while a Daisy is a sour extended with a small amount of orange liqueur or cordial and usually topped with soda water.
What is in a Daisy drink?
A Daisy is made of a base spirit, citrus juice, sugar, and an orange liqueur, shaken and often topped with soda water. This one uses genever and a Cognac orange liqueur such as Grand Marnier.
