I first discovered the Stork Club cocktail on a brutally hot summer evening last year, when a friend – an enthusiastic home bartender obsessed with speakeasy lore – offered to whip up something “classic but refreshing.” I wasn’t expecting much, to be honest, but that first icy sip hit all the right notes: tart, subtly sweet, cool, and instantly reviving. Suddenly everyone wanted a taste, and I knew I’d stumbled onto something worth repeating.
The cocktail itself is named after the famous New York nightclub that once played host to everyone from F. Scott Fitzgerald to Marilyn Monroe. Although nobody’s quite sure exactly when the drink first made the rounds, its pedigree is undeniable: all old Hollywood elegance and bright, lively flavor, the kind of thing you’d imagine served on a silver tray to socialites in tuxedos.
Strength & Profile
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What I love about the Stork Club is how balanced it is. The gin gives it structure and that whiff of herbal intrigue, but the combination of orange and lime juices makes it so much lighter and more approachable than, say, a Martini. Every time I’ve brought out a tray of these at a party, someone inevitably interrupts with “Whatever that is, I want one too.”
Over time, I’ve tweaked the recipe here and there – different gins, the odd substitution in citrus if I’m short on something, and plenty of debates over which triple sec to use. For my taste, a classic London Dry gin (Beefeater is my go-to, though Plymouth’s lovely) and freshly squeezed juice are the keys. Bottled juice will do in a pinch, but it dulls everything down – fresh citrus is 100% worth the extra step.
Ingredients & Glassware
- 1.5 oz gin (Beefeater or Plymouth, usually)
- 1 oz fresh orange juice
- 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
- 0.25 oz triple sec (Cointreau works well)
- Dash Angostura bitters
- Orange peel (or blood orange, if you’re feeling fancy), for garnish
Serve in a chilled coupe if you have one. I’ve tried martini glasses too, but coupes feel sturdier – less likely to tip over during an enthusiastic toast, and they let the cocktail’s color shine.
How I Mix a Stork Club
- Start with plenty of ice in your shaker. This isn’t a drink you want to serve lukewarm.
- Add all liquid ingredients.
- Shake madly for a good 15 seconds (I literally count out loud), until the metal shaker fogs up and your hand nearly sticks to it.
- Strain into your waiting coupe.
- Express the oils from your orange peel by twisting it over the surface, then either drop it in or perch it artfully on the rim – your call.
I have to mention: don’t be tempted to substitute bottled juices if you can help it. I tried it once out of laziness and instantly regretted it. The difference is night and day.
For guests who want something nonalcoholic, I’ve come up with a pretty convincing mocktail – fresh orange and lime juice, a splash of tonic or plain club soda, a dash of orange flower water, and non-alcoholic bitters if you can find them. It’s not identical, but even the skeptics have asked for refills.
As far as snacks go, the Stork Club goes best with salty, umami-rich bites – think stuffed mushrooms (still can’t top the batch with sage and garlic I made last year), smoked salmon on dark bread, or buttery wedges of mild cheese. There’s something about how the zesty, acidic flavors of the cocktail play off those foods that just works.
Playing with variations can be rewarding, too. I get excited when blood oranges show up at the market: swapping in blood orange juice gives the drink a gorgeous red blush and deeper flavor. Other times, I’ve added a sprig of rosemary or even a crack of black pepper on top, just for fun. Sometimes it’s magic, sometimes I end up making myself a second round the original way!
What I never expected: the Stork Club has turned several “I can’t stand gin” friends into converts. The citrus really rounds out the gin’s sharper, more herbal edges, so it’s a great way to ease people in – a gateway gin drink if ever there was one.
If you’re looking to mix up your next happy hour, or just want to pretend you’re mingling with Hollywood royalty for a night, give the Stork Club a try. It’s delicious, a little mysterious, and guaranteed to make you look like the best-read host in the room – even if you just read the recipe off your phone.
