Golden Gate Cocktail Recipe
Golden Gate Nutrition Facts
Calories:220
Fat:0g
Protein:0g
Carbohydrates:12g
Alcohol:20%
Created by
Nic Polotnianko
I fell in love with the art of mixology 6 years ago. Since then, I've honed my skills, crafting a myriad of cocktail recipes, and sharing my passion with other enthusiasts.
Last Updated: August 23, 2024
Contents
History
The Golden Gate cocktail is a classic San Francisco-inspired drink, named after the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. This cocktail is popular among tourists and locals alike, who enjoy sipping on this refreshing beverage while taking in the beautiful views of the city. The Golden Gate cocktail is often served at upscale bars and restaurants in the Bay Area, making it a must-try for anyone visiting the city.
- Origin: San Francisco, California
- Popularity: High among tourists and locals
- Best enjoyed: While taking in the views of the city or the Golden Gate Bridge
How Golden Gate Tastes?
The Golden Gate cocktail is a well-balanced mix of sweet, sour, and slightly bitter flavors. The combination of citrus and herbal notes creates a refreshing and invigorating taste that is perfect for sipping on a warm day.
Interesting facts about Golden Gate
- The Golden Gate cocktail is named after the famous Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
- This drink is particularly popular in the Bay Area, but can also be found in upscale bars around the world.
- The Golden Gate cocktail is often served in a martini glass, giving it an elegant and sophisticated appearance.
Ingredients
- Gin: 2 oz(60ml)
- Lemon juice: 1 oz(30ml)
- Simple syrup: 0.5 oz(15ml)
- Orange bitters: 2 dashes
- Maraschino cherry: 1
- Garnish: lemon twist
A few good options for Golden Gate are:
- Brockmans
- Silent Pool Gin
- Hendrick's Gin
Gin
Why so much gin? Well, 2 oz is pretty much your standard for a strong base—enough to let the botanicals sing without turning you into a soprano. Gin brings the herbal notes that make our Golden Gate gleam. Skip it, and you're just having tart lemonade.
Alex Green
Lemon Juice
An ounce of zesty goodness punches through with bright acidity, giving the cocktail its backbone. More, and you'd squint with every sip; less, and it's like a high-five without contact—awkward.
Mary Mitkina
Simple Syrup
Half an ounce sweetens the deal, balancing out the tartness. Forget the syrup, and the drink's as sour as a bitter lemon. And nobody wants to be that person.
Emma Rose
Orange Bitters
Two dashes create a complex profile, a whiff of citrusy mystery. Omit them, and you miss the je ne sais quoi that makes the Golden Gate stand tall.
Alex Green
Maraschino Cherry
One cherry is just a sweet wink to finish off. Leave it out, and sure, the world won't end, but why miss out on the cherry top moment?
Mary Mitkina
Garnish: Lemon Twist
A twist of lemon for that aromatic allure. No twist, and your senses miss out on the full experience. Like a San Francisco fog, it subtly envelops each sip with fragrance.
Emma Rose
Recipe. How to make Golden Gate Drink
- Chill a martini glass by filling it with ice and water. Set aside.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and orange bitters.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds.
- Empty the martini glass and strain the cocktail into the glass.
- Garnish with a lemon twist and a maraschino cherry.
Pro Tips
- Use fresh lemon juice for a brighter, fresher flavor.
- Shake the cocktail vigorously to ensure all the ingredients are well combined.
- Chill the glass before serving to keep the cocktail cold for longer.
Perfect Pairings
Appetizers
- Cheese plates with a selection of soft and hard cheeses complement the botanicals in the gin.
- Seafood starters like shrimp cocktail or ceviche, which pair well with the citrus notes.
Main Courses
- Grilled white fish or chicken dishes, where the lemon in the cocktail can play off the light char flavors.
- Pasta with cream-based sauces to balance the acidity of the lemon juice.
Desserts
- Lemon tart or citrus-based desserts to echo the lemon flavors in the cocktail.
- Almond biscotti, as the nutty flavors can contrast nicely with the sweet and sour balance of the drink.
Non-Alcoholic Pairings
- Sparkling water with a splash of lemon to cleanse the palate between sips.
- Herbal teas such as chamomile or mint to complement the botanicals in the gin.
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What you could change in Golden Gate
- Gin: Can be substituted with vodka for a milder flavor.
- Simple syrup: Can be replaced with honey or agave syrup.
- Orange bitters: If not available, can be replaced with Angostura bitters.
Explore all drinks starting with G here
And of course - twists🍹
Elderflower Golden Gate
- Switch 0.5 oz of gin for elderflower liqueur.
- Add a splash of soda water.
- Recipe & Taste: Keep everything else the same. Shake it up and top it off with soda water. The result? A Golden Gate with a floral touch, ideal for when you fancy a walk in an English garden.
Spicy Golden Gate
- Add a small slice of jalapeño to the shaker.
- Use a chili salt rim.
- Recipe & Taste: Muddle the jalapeño slice in the shaker before adding the other ingredients. After shaking, strain into a glass with a chili salt rim. For those who like a drink with a kick, this one bridges the gap between refreshment and excitement.
Berry Golden Gate
- Use raspberry syrup instead of simple syrup.
- Garnish with fresh berries.
- Recipe & Taste: The raspberry syrup brings a berry-licious twist to the original. It's like taking the scenic route through a berry field on your way to San Francisco. Vibrant, colorful, and sweet meets sour in perfect harmony.
In case you forgot basics how to make Golden Gate
The basic composition of simple syrup is relatively straightforward – a 1:1 ratio of sugar and water. This mixture is heated until the sugar dissolves, resulting in a clear, sweet syrup.
Learn everything about simple syrupAdd your ingredients to the shaker first, then ice. Fill it up to ¾ of its capacity to ensure enough space for shaking. Hold the shaker with both hands (one on the top and one on the bottom) and shake vigorously. The shake should come from your shoulders, not your wrists.
Learn everything on how to shakePlace your chosen strainer on top of the shaker or mixing glass, ensuring a secure fit. Pour the cocktail into a glass through the strainer, which will catch solid ingredients and ice. If double straining, hold the fine mesh strainer between the shaker and the glass.
Learn everything on how to strainGarnishing a bar drink depends on the type of garnish and the cocktail. Generally, it involves preparing the garnish (like cutting a citrus wheel or picking a sprig of mint), and then adding it to the drink in a visually appealing way (like perching it on the rim or floating it on top).
Learn everything on garnishingFind the cocktail you'd love!
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Frequently Asked Questions on Golden Gate
Does the Golden Gate cocktail have a seasonal preference?
While the Golden Gate cocktail can be enjoyed any time of year, its citrus notes make it especially refreshing during the summer months.
What type of gin works best for this cocktail?
Any gin will work, but a high-quality gin with a strong juniper profile will enhance the complex flavors of the cocktail.
Is there a non-alcoholic version of the Golden Gate cocktail?
Yes, you can create a delicious virgin cocktail by replacing the gin with a non-alcoholic spirit, and omitting the bitters.
What type of setting is most appropriate for serving the Golden Gate cocktail?
The sophistication of the Golden Gate cocktail makes it an excellent choice for dinner parties, cocktail hours, or any gathering in need of a touch of elegance.
Is the Golden Gate cocktail suitable for beginners to make?
Yes, the Golden Gate cocktail is quite straightforward to prepare and requires basic cocktail-making skills.
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