Pegu Club Cocktail Recipe

Pegu Club Nutrition Facts

Calories:200

Fat:0g

Protein:0g

Carbohydrates:10g

Alcohol:25%

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

History

The Pegu Club cocktail has its origins in the 1920s at the Pegu Club in Rangoon, Burma. This club was a popular gathering spot for British officers and expatriates during the colonial era. The cocktail was created by the club's bartender and quickly became a favorite among the patrons. The Pegu Club cocktail eventually made its way to other parts of the world and is now a classic cocktail enjoyed by many.

  • The Pegu Club was an exclusive social club for British officers and expatriates
  • The cocktail was created by the club's bartender in the 1920s
  • The Pegu Club cocktail is now a classic cocktail enjoyed worldwide

How Pegu Club Tastes?

The Pegu Club cocktail is a delightful balance of sweet, sour, and bitter flavors. The gin provides a strong, juniper-forward base, while the orange liqueur adds a touch of sweetness. The lime juice brings a refreshing tartness, and the bitters add a subtle, complex bitterness that rounds out the drink.

Interesting facts about Pegu Club

  • The Pegu Club cocktail is named after the Pegu Club in Rangoon, Burma
  • The cocktail was created in the 1920s and has since become a classic cocktail
  • The Pegu Club cocktail is often garnished with a lime or orange twist

Ingredients

A few good options for Pegu Club are:

  • Brockmans
  • Silent Pool Gin
  • Hendrick's Gin

Learn everything on which Gin to choose

Gin

The juniper-forward spirit provides a herbaceous backbone to the cocktail. At 2 oz, it’s the star of the show, offering enough punch without overpowering the other flavors. Less gin, and you risk a too-sweet cocktail; more, and the subtler notes might be lost.

Mary Mitkina

Orange Liqueur

Adding a 1 oz contribution of sweet citrus goodness, orange liqueur brings balance against the tart lime juice. Without it, the drink would be sharply tart—too much would make it cloyingly sweet.

Alex Green

Fresh Lime Juice

At 0.75 oz, it's the acidic kicker that gives the cocktail its refreshing edge. Skimp on the lime juice, and the drink falls flat; overdo it, and you're puckering up more than kissing your date.

Emma Rose

Angostura Bitters

One dash is enough to add complexity with its herbal, slightly bitter profile. Angostura binds the flavors, but forget it and the cocktail tastes less dimensional, like a joke without a punchline.

Mary Mitkina

Orange Bitters

Also just one dash. It's the citrusy whisper that echoes the orange liqueur, enhancing the cocktail's subtleties. Omitting it won’t cause a disaster, but why miss out on the symphony?

Alex Green

Recipe. How to make Pegu Club Drink

  1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice
  2. Add the gin, orange liqueur, lime juice, Angostura bitters, and orange bitters
  3. Shake well until chilled
  4. Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass
  5. Garnish with a lime or orange twist

Pro Tips

  • Use fresh lime juice for the best flavor
  • Chill your glass before pouring the cocktail to keep it cold longer
  • Experiment with different types of gin to find your preferred flavor profile

Perfect Pairings

Appetizers

  • Cheese platters: A selection of mild to medium cheeses complements the citrus notes in the cocktail.
  • Seafood: Light seafood dishes like shrimp cocktail or ceviche accentuate the drink's crispness.
  • Salty Snacks: Salted nuts or olives can balance the Pegu Club's tartness.

Main Courses

  • Grilled Chicken or Fish: The citrus elements in the drink pair nicely with simple, herby chicken or fish dishes.
  • Asian Cuisine: Try sipping a Pegu Club with Thai or Vietnamese flavors that share its balance of sweet, sour, and bitter.

Desserts

  • Citrus desserts: A lemon tart or key lime pie would echo the lime juice in the cocktail.

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What you could change in Pegu Club

  • You can substitute the gin with vodka if you prefer a less juniper-forward flavor
  • If you don't have orange liqueur, triple sec can be used as a substitute
  • Lemon juice can be used in place of lime juice for a slightly different flavor profile

Explore all drinks starting with P here

And of course - twists🍹

Raspberry Pegu Club

  • Add 5 fresh raspberries during shaking. The muddled raspberries will give a fruity twist and a beautiful blush color to the drink. The result is slightly sweeter and perfect for those who love a berry note to their cocktails.

Spicy Pegu Club

  • Include a thin slice of jalapeño or a few dashes of hot sauce in the shaker. This will add a kick that contrasts with the refreshing ingredients, offering a surprise for the adventurous palate.

Smoky Pegu Club

  • Replace 0.5 oz of gin with mezcal. The smoky character of mezcal adds a whole new dimension, creating a cocktail with depth that plays against the bright citrus flavors. Ideal for those who like a touch of smoke in their sip.

In case you forgot basics how to make Pegu Club

Add 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 shake

Place 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 strain

Garnishing 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 garnishing

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Frequently Asked Questions on Pegu Club

Is the Pegu Club cocktail considered a strong drink?

Yes, the Pegu Club is a strong cocktail due to the predominance of gin, which is a high-proof spirit. However, the taste of alcohol is well-balanced by other ingredients.

Is it a suitable drink for cocktail parties?

Yes, its combination of sweet, sour, and bitter flavors can appeal to a wide variety of palates, thus making it a popular choice for cocktail parties.

What's the best time to enjoy a Pegu Club cocktail?

The Pegu Club is versatile, it can be enjoyed as an aperitif owing to its bright and refreshing citrus flavours, but it is equally suitable as a soothing nightcap.

What other cocktails originated during the colonial era?

Many other classic cocktails like the Singapore Sling, Pisco Sour, and Gin Fizz also trace their origins back to the colonial era.

Can I play around with the ratios of the ingredients in a Pegu Club cocktail?

Certainly, once you've tried the original recipe you might want to adjust the ratios to better suit your palate. However, be mindful that straying too far may result in a much different cocktail.

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