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Oct 15, 2023

Satan's Whiskers Cocktail

The Satan's Whiskers Cocktail is a wonderful cocktail for fall. With its orange color and Halloween-themed name, it is perfect for the season.

Satan's Whiskers Cocktail with the bottles behind it.



The Satan's whiskers is a bittersweet cocktail comprised of gin, dry and sweet rouge vermouth, Grand Marnier (a cognac flavored with bitter orange liqueur), orange juice, and orange bitters. 

According to Difford's Guide For Discerning Drinkers, the recipe first appeared in the book, The Savoy Cocktail Book by Harry Craddock (1930). It is thought to have been first served in a high end speakeasy in Hollywood during the Prohibition Era. 


Satan's Whiskers Cocktail with tangerines in the background.


It is also featured in the book, Fan Fare: A Playbook of Great Recipes for Tailgating or Watching the Game at Home by Debbie Moose. She got it from a University of Georgia fan who made it for tailgating in honor of (or to demonize) then University of South Carolina's football coach Steve Spurrier. 

Why would such a great cocktail be used to honor a nemesis? Probably because the flavor is a combination of bitter and sweet. Bittersweet. Get it? 

College football can certainly stir up strong emotions. Football was a huge part of my college experience, and there are three or four schools that I still "hate." I try not to be too emotionally invested ... if my team is on a losing streak, there's usually another shiny thing I can follow.... unless someone reminds me by rubbing it in. Haters. 


Satan's Whiskers Cocktail in a martini glass on a coaster.


This cocktail's flavor is complex and not too sweet, with the piney and botanical flavors of gin, the dry and sweet flavors of the two types of Vermouth, and the sweet liqueur and orange juice along with the orange bitters. I'm looking forward to trying it with juice of blood oranges when they are in season here. 

This version of Satan's Whiskers is the "straight" version. There also is a "curled" version, where you substitute orange curaçao for the Grand Marnier. 

You could also substitute Cointreau or even bourbon if you like. Plus, this coctail is relatively light on the higher proof alcohol. 

Satan's Whiskers Cocktail with the liquor bottles behind it.



Name Your Poison: More Scary Drinks and Cocktails from the Sunday Funday Group: 


First published January 2013 and updated October, 2023. 


Satan's Whiskers Cocktail in a martini glass on a coaster.



Satan's Whiskers Cocktail Recipe

Satan's Whiskers Cocktail Recipe
Yield: 2
Author: Karen's Kitchen Stories
Prep time: 5 MinTotal time: 5 Min
The Satan's Whiskers Cocktail is a wonderful cocktail for fall. With its orange color and Halloween-themed name, it is perfect for the season.

Ingredients

  • 1 ounce gin
  • 1 ounce dry vermouth
  • 1 ounce sweet vermouth
  • 1 ounce freshly squeezed orange juice (I've also used tangerine)
  • 4 teaspoons Grand Marnier
  • 1 teaspoon orange bitters
  • Orange twist for garnish

Instructions

  1. Fill a shaker with ice and add all of the ingredients except the garnish.
  2. Shake and strain into two chilled martini glasses and garnish with a twist.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

106

Fat (grams)

0 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

0 g

Carbs (grams)

7 g

Fiber (grams)

0 g

Net carbs

7 g

Sugar (grams)

5 g

Protein (grams)

0 g

Cholesterol (grams)

0 mg
cocktail, halloween
cocktails
American
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Would you like to comment?

  1. Perfect friday night drink. Im going to look into this asap :)

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  2. This sounds like quite the drink! I'm down for any boozy citrus drink. :D

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  3. I have never heard of this cocktail but it is going on my list for the next time Frank asks what he can get me.

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  4. Love the color and it sounds perfect for Halloween!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love a good holiday cocktail!

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