Old Flame
A bitter and sweet gin cocktail ∙ Shake ∙ 3 min ∙ 17% ABV ∙
The Old Flame is a softer, shaken take on the Negroni: London dry gin, triple sec, rosso vermouth, a red bitter such as Campari, and fresh orange juice.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Shake all ingredients with ice: London dry gin 30 mlTriple sec 15 mlRosso vermouth 15 mlRed bitter 15 mlOrange juice 30 ml
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
- Flame an orange twist over the cocktail and use as garnish
Tips
- Squeeze the 30 ml of orange just before shaking; juice that has sat goes dull and can't stand up to the red bitter and vermouth.
History
The Old Flame was created by New York bartender Dale DeGroff as a softer take on the Negroni. While on a book tour, DeGroff paired Negronis with the food at a series of cocktail dinners, but in Texas the drink's bitterness fell flat with a writer and a photographer at the table. He reworked the recipe on the spot, adding Cointreau and orange juice to round out the bitterness, and named the result the Fancy Nancy in honor of the photographer, Nancy, who loved it.
Under the name Old Flame, the drink won first prize in the Fancy Cocktail category at the 2001 Martini & Rossi Grand Prix in Malaga, Spain, and DeGroff later published it under both names in his book.
FAQ
What is in an Old Flame cocktail?
30 ml London dry gin, 15 ml triple sec, 15 ml rosso vermouth, 15 ml red bitter such as Campari, and 30 ml fresh orange juice.
What does an Old Flame taste like?
Bittersweet and orangey. The red bitter and vermouth taste like a Negroni, and the fresh orange juice softens the bitterness. At about 17% ABV it is lighter and juicier than a spirit-only cocktail, and the flamed orange twist adds a toasted note.
