Monkey GlandCocktail recipe
Rating
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.
You’ll find the Monkey Gland is a bright, early-20th-century gin cocktail with a mischievous name and a reputation tied to the Jazz Age. It’s commonly associated with the Paris bar scene, where American-style cocktails flourished in the years between the wars, and it sits in the same family as other gin-and-citrus drinks that use a small, aromatic accent to add intrigue. While its backstory is often repeated in broad strokes, what matters in the glass is its playful balance of fruit, botanicals, and a whisper of anise.
On the palate, gin’s crisp juniper backbone leads, then orange juice brings soft citrus sweetness and a rounded, juicy lift. Grenadine adds a gentle pomegranate-like sweetness and a blush of colour that deepens the fruitiness without turning it cloying. Just a couple of drops of absinthe cut through with a sharp, herbal anise note, making the orange taste brighter and the gin feel more perfumed.
Serve it when you want something lively and slightly offbeat—an easy win for gin drinkers who also like a touch of fruit. It suits aperitif moments, pre-dinner catch-ups, or any time you want a cocktail that feels classic-adjacent but still a little daring in a cocktail glass.
Microbadges
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.
Cocktail Colin says:
Gin leads with crisp botanicals softened by juicy orange juice, while two drops of grenadine add a faint pomegranate-tinged sweetness and blush, and two drops of absinthe flash anise over the top. It works because the orange rounds the gin’s edges as absinthe’s herbal bite keeps the grenadine from feeling candied; ideal for gin drinkers who like a bright, lightly sweet cocktail with a sly licorice accent.
Method
How to make a Monkey Gland
- Absinthe 2 drops, Gin 50ml, Orange juice 30ml, Grenadine 2 drops
-
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice
-
- Shake well for 10-15 seconds
-
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass
-
- Garnish with an orange peel twist and serve
Power tips
Elevate the Monkey Gland 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- Use freshly squeezed orange juice for a more vibrant and fresh flavor profile. It adds a level of brightness that store-bought juice often lacks.
- When adding absinthe, use an atomizer or spritz bottle to evenly disperse a fine mist over the drink. This balances the strong taste of absinthe without overpowering the other flavors.
- Upgrade to premium to receive even more power tips on this cocktail.
Your private tasting notes
Featured in
FAQ's
What is the origin of the Monkey Gland cocktail?
The Monkey Gland cocktail has a unique and interesting history that dates back to the 1920s Paris. It was created by Harry MacElhone, the owner of Harry's New York Bar in Paris. The name 'Monkey Gland' derives from the unusual medical practices of the time by Dr. Serge Voronoff, who transplanted monkey testicle tissue into humans aiming to increase longevity and virility. The cocktail's name reflects the era's fascination with such experimental medical procedures and has nothing to do with its ingredients.
Can I use any type of gin for the Monkey Gland cocktail?
Yes, you can use any type of gin to make a Monkey Gland cocktail. However, using a dry gin is traditionally recommended because its crisp and clean taste balances well with the sweetness of the orange juice and grenadine, while also allowing the unique flavor of the absinthe to shine through.
What is the best way to incorporate the absinthe into the Monkey Gland cocktail?
The best way to incorporate absinthe into the Monkey Gland cocktail is by using it to rinse the cocktail glass before adding the other ingredients. This involves adding a small amount of absinthe to the glass, swirling it around to coat the inside, and then discarding any excess. This method provides a subtle hint of absinthe flavor without overwhelming the other components of the drink.
What is the ideal garnish for a Monkey Gland cocktail?
The ideal garnish for a Monkey Gland cocktail is typically an orange peel twist or a cherry. The citrusy aroma of the orange peel enhances the orange juice's flavor in the cocktail, while the cherry adds a touch of color and sweetness, making the presentation more appealing and giving a nod to the classic garnishing styles of cocktails from the 1920s.
What types of occasions is the Monkey Gland cocktail most suitable for?
Given its unique history and distinctive name, the Monkey Gland cocktail is most suitable for themed parties or events that celebrate the Roaring Twenties or the prohibition era. It's also a great choice for cocktail enthusiasts looking to explore classic cocktails with quirky backstories or for gatherings where a conversation-starting cocktail is desired.
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.
- Access to Cocktail Colin; ask Cocktail Colin anything on an individual cocktail and he'll give you the answers you need.
- 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...)
Have you tried our Wordpress Plugin?
Download our plugin and embed cocktail recipes directly onto your own site or blog.
Choose from our whole recipe database, or choose a specific cocktail made with a certain ingredient, and let us place a beautiful recipe on your own site.
Find out moreYou might also like
Experience this mysterious absinthe and champagne potion.
Death In The Afternoon
Absinthe, Champagne / prosecco, Sugar / simple syrup
Dive into this potent mix of spirits
Aunt Roberta
Brandy, Vodka, Absinthe, Gin, Blackberry liqueur
Experience this daring mix of absinthe and rye.
Rattle Snake
Absinthe, Rye whiskey, Lemon juice, Egg
Discover this classic blend of cognac and citrus.
Morning Glory
Absinthe, Cognac, Orange liqueur, Sugar / simple syrup, Aromatic bitters, Lemon juice
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 creatingBuild 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
Cocktail Colin
Your cocktail expert
Hi! I'm Cocktail Colin
Ask me anything about this cocktail - how to make it, substitutions, variations, or any other questions!
Become a member to access Cocktail Colin
Become a member (for free) to pick Cocktail Colin's cocktail filled brain on everything on this cocktail, from substitutions, if you can use what you have, to serving suggestions and more.
Become a member
Comments