Gypsy Queen
A herbal and dry vodka cocktail ∙ Stir ∙ 3 min ∙ 32.1% ABV ∙
The Gypsy Queen is a stirred vodka cocktail with Bénédictine liqueur and a dash of aromatic bitters, served up in a coupe.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Stir all ingredients with ice: Vodka 45 mlBénédictine D.O.M. liqueur 15 mlAngostura aromatic bitters 1 dash
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
- Express an orange twist over the cocktail and use as garnish
Tips
- Stir until the outside of the mixing glass frosts, roughly 20-30 seconds, so the vodka doesn't taste sharp or thin.
History
The Gypsy Queen traces to New York's Russian Tea Room in the 1930s. This makes it one of the earliest known vodka cocktails documented in the United States, appearing at a time when vodka was still a novelty on American bars, largely overshadowed by whiskey, gin, and brandy. The restaurant, an exclusive Midtown Manhattan establishment founded in 1927 by former members of the Russian Imperial Ballet, paired the then-exotic spirit with the French herbal liqueur Bénédictine to build a simple, stirred, martini-style aperitif. The cocktail's early prominence was short-lived: the outbreak of World War II soon after the drink's debut pushed drinkers back toward domestic spirits, and vodka's American popularity did not take off until decades later.
David Embury's 1948 book The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks later printed a version of the recipe under the name "Gypsy or Gypsy Queen," noting that the original proportions ran quite sweet and suggesting a leaner vodka-to-Bénédictine ratio for better balance, along with a dash of orange bitters.
FAQ
What is in a Gypsy Queen?
45 ml vodka, 15 ml Bénédictine and a dash of Angostura bitters. It is a short, spirit-forward drink at about 32.1% ABV.
How do you make a Gypsy Queen?
Stir vodka, Bénédictine and a dash of aromatic bitters with ice until the mixing glass frosts, about 20 to 30 seconds, so the vodka doesn't taste sharp. Fine-strain into a chilled coupe, express an orange twist over the top and drop it in.
