Morning GloryCocktail 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.
Morning Glory sits in that bright, brandy-forward corner of the sour family, where citrus and sweetness frame a warming base spirit. You’ll find it reads like a dressed-up Cognac cocktail, with a nod to old-school bar flavours thanks to its absinthe accent and bitters. While the name has been used for more than one drink over the years, this version leans into a classic structure: spirit, citrus, sweetener, and aromatic modifiers that make it feel both polished and a little decadent.
On the palate, Cognac brings depth and fruit-tinged richness, while lemon juice cuts through with clean, sharp acidity. Orange liqueur adds a rounded citrus sweetness that bridges the lemon’s tartness and the syrup’s smooth lift. A teaspoon of absinthe threads in a concentrated herbal note, and a dash of aromatic bitters tightens everything up, keeping the finish focused rather than sugary.
Served in a lowball, this is a great choice when you want something zesty but still spirit-led—ideal as a pre-dinner drink or a slow, early-evening sipper. If you enjoy sours with extra complexity and a hint of anise-like intensity, you’ll feel right at home here.
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.
Tags
Lowball / rocks glass
Ingredients
Cocktail Colin says:
Cognac leads with warm, rounded fruit and oak, lifted by lemon juice and orange liqueur’s bright peel, while simple syrup smooths the edges; a teaspoon of absinthe adds a cool anise sheen and aromatic bitters bring spiced depth. It works because the citrus snap and bitters keep the liqueur and syrup from cloying, and the absinthe accent makes the Cognac feel more vivid—ideal for sour fans who like brandy with a subtle herbal twist.
Method
How to make a Morning Glory
- Absinthe Teaspoon, Cognac 30ml, Orange liqueur 22.5ml, Sugar / simple syrup 7.5ml, Aromatic bitters Dash, Lemon juice 15ml
-
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes
-
- Shake well and strain into a lowball glass
-
- Top up with chilled water as required
-
- Garnish with a cherry and a lemon zest twist and serve
Power tips
Elevate the Morning Glory 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- Experiment with different types of absinthe. Each has a unique flavor profile and can dramatically change the subtle notes in the cocktail.
- For a sweeter and more complex substitute, use a homemade orange syrup in place of the sugar syrup. This blends better with the cognac and lemon juice.
- Upgrade to premium to receive even more power tips on this cocktail.
Your private tasting notes
Featured in
FAQ's
What is the best occasion to serve the Morning Glory cocktail?
The Morning Glory cocktail, with its rich flavors and invigorating citrus notes, is perfect for brunch occasions or a refreshing start to the morning. Its name hints at its suitability for early enjoyment, making it a sophisticated choice for special breakfasts or early celebrations.
How does the alcohol content of the Morning Glory compare to other cocktails?
With an alcohol content of 22.16%, the Morning Glory is moderately strong compared to many other cocktails. It is stronger than light cocktails like the Mimosa, which typically sits around 10%, but less potent than high-alcohol content drinks like the Martini, which can exceed 30% alcohol by volume. This makes it an excellent choice for those seeking a balanced option.
Can I make a non-alcoholic version of the Morning Glory?
Yes, you can create a non-alcoholic version of the Morning Glory by substituting the cognac and orange liqueur with non-alcoholic alternatives, such as non-alcoholic brandy or an orange-based syrup, and leaving out the absinthe entirely. You'll retain the citrus flavors while removing the alcohol.
What garnish goes best with the Morning Glory cocktail?
A classic garnish for the Morning Glory is an orange slice or a lemon twist. These citrus garnishes complement the lemon juice and orange liqueur in the cocktail, enhancing its aroma and adding a touch of elegance to its presentation.
How significant is the role of absinthe in the Morning Glory?
The teaspoon of absinthe in the Morning Glory plays a crucial yet subtle role. Although used sparingly, absinthe adds a unique herbaceous flavor and a hint of complexity to the cocktail, setting it apart from other cognac-based drinks. Its inclusion is a nod to the classic cocktail craftsmanship, enriching the overall taste profile without overpowering the other ingredients.
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
Dive into this potent mix of spirits
Aunt Roberta
Brandy, Vodka, Absinthe, Gin, Blackberry liqueur
Discover this herbal absinthe with a sugar drizzle
Absinthe Drip
Absinthe, Sugar, Water
Experience this complex mix of gin, vermouth, and absinthe.
Turf Club
Gin, Absinthe, Maraschino cherry liqueur, White vermouth, Orange bitters
Experience this aromatic Martini with daisy flair
Yellow Daisy
Dry gin, Absinthe, Grand Marnier, White vermouth
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