Ideal
/
logo

Make Me a Cocktail

Ideal
Cocktail recipe

Rating

3.54 / 5
The Ideal cocktail is a classic concoction that blends the botanical complexity of gin with the herbal notes of red vermouth, balanced beautifully by the subtle, sweet touch of a maraschino cherry. Though surprisingly devoid of grapefruit juice, which is often mentioned in variations of the Ideal, this particular mix opts for straightforward simplicity, focusing on the harmony between the gin and vermouth. Typically served in a cocktail glass, this drink provides an elegant presentation accompanied by the garnish of a single maraschino cherry, adding both visual appeal and a hint of sweetness to the final sip. The Ideal is a drink that would likely appeal to those who appreciate the interplay of gin and vermouth with a trace of cherry as a rounded off, sophisticated edge.
Check out all our FAQ's on this cocktail
Base ingredient
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gin
Calories
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
120 calories
Garnish
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cocktail cherry
Alcohol content
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
28% | 1.68 units *

Tags

Gin ingredient icon
Gin cocktails

Cocktail glass

Ingredients

oz
ml
cl
Gin cocktail ingredient icon for the Ideal cocktail
Gin
Grapefruit Juice cocktail ingredient icon for the Ideal cocktail
Grapefruit Juice
Red vermouth cocktail ingredient icon for the Ideal cocktail
Red vermouth
Maraschino Cherry cocktail ingredient icon for the Ideal cocktail
Maraschino Cherry
Serves:
-
+

Method
How to make a Ideal

Serves 1 · Takes 3 minutes
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker over ice
Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass
Garnish with a cherry and serve

Power tips
Elevate the Ideal with these master mixologist tips

Upgrade to premium

And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.

Find out more
Subscribe to premium to receive power tips from top bartenders around the world. Raise you mixology game.
Read the tweaks that take this simple cocktail to the next level of greatness. Become the next best mixologist which people all talk about.

Learn more about some of the mixology terms used in this cocktail

·  Shake  ·  Strain  ·  Garnish  · 

Your private tasting notes

~ Register as a user for free to create tasting notes, save your bar and more ~

Can you make this?

Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.

Comments

No comments yet…

You need to be a user with a verified email to comment on cocktails. Login / register

Featured in

~ Not featured in any of your lists, or any public lists, register as a user to create a list and add this cocktail. We'll then show the lists here ~

FAQ's

Preparation techniques icon

How do I properly shake the cocktail Ideal?

To properly shake the Ideal cocktail, fill a shaker with ice cubes, add 30ml of gin, 30ml of red vermouth, a dash of grapefruit juice, and a dash of maraschino cherry liqueur. Secure the lid or shaker tin on top and shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds or until the outside of the shaker feels cold. This integrates the ingredients well and chills the mixture effectively.

Garnishing tips icon

What garnish works best with the Ideal cocktail?

Given the ingredient list, a thin slice of grapefruit or a twist of grapefruit peel makes an excellent garnish for the Ideal cocktail. Not only does this enhance the visual appeal of the drink, but the aromatic oils from the grapefruit peel also add a delightful fragrance and taste that complements the cocktail's flavors.

Serving suggestions icon

What is the ideal glassware for serving the Ideal cocktail?

The Ideal cocktail is best served in a chilled cocktail glass. This type of glass, traditionally known for its wide bowl and stemmed design, showcases the drink's elegant color and ensures that it remains cold without the need for additional ice, which could dilute the drink.

Alcohol content comparison icon

How does the alcohol content of the Ideal cocktail compare to a standard gin martini?

The Ideal cocktail has an alcohol content of 28%, which is slightly lower than a standard gin martini, which typically ranges between 30-32% alcohol by volume (ABV). This difference is primarily due to the addition of non-alcoholic ingredients like grapefruit juice in the Ideal, which dilutes the overall alcohol content.

Food pairings icon

What are some good food pairings for the Ideal cocktail?

The Ideal cocktail, with its unique blend of gin, red vermouth, and citrus from grapefruit juice, pairs well with appetizers like seafood canapés, oysters, or light cheese platters. Its refreshing profile also complements spicy dishes, as the citrus can help balance the heat.

Upgrade your mixology

Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.

  • Save your bar forever
  • Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
  • Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
  • Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
  • Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
  • Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
  • A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
  • And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Register now for free Find out more about premium

The Ultimate Christmas Cocktail Hub

The ultimate destination for all things Christmas and Cocktails. Crate your own Christmas cocktail, cocktail advent calendars, a host of Christmas themed cocktails and more.

Filter by Christmas cocktails that contain a certain ingredient, or just browse them all. The go-to location this Christmas.

Let's go

You might also like

Vesper

Classic

The drink was invented and named by fictional secret agent James Bond in the 1953 novel Casino Royale. "A dry...

Long Island Iced Tea

Classic

The Long Island Ice Tea is a classic cocktail characterized by its deceptive potency and refreshing taste, despite a hefty...

Aunt Roberta

Known colloquially as 'The Worlds Deadliest Cocktail', The Aunt Roberta cocktail is a potent concoction that blends the warming notes...

The Perfect Martini

The Perfect Martini is a sophisticated twist on the classic martini that balances the botanical notes of gin with the...
* US units estimated based on the standard alcohol content of the ingredients used and the proportions in the recipe. Please drink responsibly.
build your bar

Create a cocktail

Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.

Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.

Start creating

Build your bar

Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.

Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.

Create My Bar
build your bar light mode image