I’m a sucker for classic cocktails – especially the ones with a story to tell. The Jockey Club is one of those drinks that always reminds me why gin cocktails never go out of style. There’s something about that mix of gin, citrus, and just the right touch of sweetness that feels both retro and completely fresh.
The Jockey Club traces back to the early 20th century, probably around Prohibition. Bartenders had to get creative thanks to spotty supplies, but exclusivity was the name of the game. Its title is a nod to society’s old racing clubs – those glamorous, gossipy havens where the well-heeled gathered. These were the kind of places where the bartender knew both your secrets and your drink order.
Strength & Profile
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What hooks me is the balance: gin’s botanicals up front, cut with a clean hit of lemon juice, and layered with maraschino liqueur’s subtle cherry vibe. Just a dash of grenadine and orange bitters at the end brings it all together. It’s the kind of drink that feels complicated, but just slips right down.
Last weekend, I made a round of these for friends. Predictably, even the “I don’t like gin” folks asked for seconds and wanted the recipe by the end of the night. There’s just a magic to this combo – it works.
Ingredients & Glassware
- 1.5 oz (45 ml) gin (I go for something with classic juniper)
- 0.5 oz (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
- 0.25 oz (7.5 ml) maraschino liqueur
- 1 dash grenadine
- 1 dash orange bitters
- Ice for shaking
- Cherry or lemon twist for garnish
Serve it in a chilled coupe glass, if you’ve got one. I prefer coupes because they’re a little less likely to tip if someone gets a little too passionate with their story-telling. A martini glass is fine too.
The Recipe
- Fill your shaker with plenty of ice. Trust me, more is better when it comes to shaking.
- Add the gin, lemon juice, maraschino, and grenadine.
- Shake it hard for a good 15 seconds – don’t be shy, you want this COLD.
- Fine strain into your chilled glass.
- Float a dash of orange bitters on top.
- Drop in a cherry (or twist a bit of lemon peel over the glass for a little extra aroma).
If you’re serving a group, you can prep a batch of the gin, lemon, maraschino, and grenadine ahead of time – just shake with ice and add the bitters as you pour.
For the non-drinkers at your table, Seedlip Garden 108 (a non-alcoholic botanical spirit) with tonic, lemon, and a splash of grenadine is a surprisingly good stand-in. It’s not the real deal, but the flavors echo enough to feel festive.
The Jockey Club is awesome alongside food, too. Here are a few things I’ve served it with:
- A cheese board loaded with aged gouda and manchego
- Grilled shrimp with fresh lemon
- Smoked salmon on little toasts
- Lemon tart (this combo is dangerous – in a good way)
Feel free to tinker with the recipe. Some nights, I swap in Plymouth gin when I’m after a softer edge, or add a touch more maraschino for extra sweetness. If you’re adventurous, a small splash of absinthe gives the whole drink a subtle anise kick that works wonders.
There’s something special about sipping a drink with this much history. The Jockey Club lets you travel back a century with every glass but still feels tailor-made for good company right now. That’s what makes a cocktail great, in my book – it never goes out of style and always brings people together.
