Bow Tie
/

Bow Tie
Cocktail recipe

Rating

3.76 / 5
This Japan-inspired drink came to be when I combined a little Nikka barrel strength whisky with the exceptionally fragrant Roku gin, and gave it a healthy dash of Kahlúa to round it off. The result surprised me so much that I had to share it.

The first thing that hits you is the botanical fragrance of the gin, followed by the earthy notes from the whisky. The tastes then moves back from the ground up, but with an exceptionally rounded taste that tops off this sipper and keeps you from loosing your cool. I enjoy it neat, but feel free to add ice for a more polished serve.
Check out all our FAQ's on this cocktail
Base ingredient
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coffee liqueur
Calories
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
197 calories
Alcohol content
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
32% | 2.4 units *

Whisky glass

Ingredients

oz
ml
cl
Serves:
-
+

Method
How to make a Bow Tie

Serves 1 · Takes 3 minutes
Add clear ice to a whisky glass, stir and drain the water
Pour the whisky, gin and Kahlúa over the ice in that order and stir gently
Serve
~ The amount of Kahlúa can be suited to taste: less producing a rougher texture, while more resulting in a sweeter mix often appreciated by the ladies. To serve neat, follow the method without the ice, and swirl instead of stirring. ~

Power tips
Elevate the Bow Tie 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

·  Stir  · 

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

alex avatar

Despite what some may say I think there's a large variety in gin quality. I made this with beefeater, I can't help but wonder how much more I would like it with Citadelle. I also used a slightly higher proof whiskey. Makers 46 is twenty higher, but the alcohol bite comes with the gin in the aftertaste. First serve, sharp. Once the ice melted, much smoother. Again, I think this hinges mostly on the quality of gin used. I liked it, but would make it again primarily to test other gins.

Make me a cocktail avatar

Totally agree Alex. I made this a couple of weeks back with Ise of Harris gin, and the clean crisp notes really helped bring out the flavours of the whiskey. It definitely needs a good stir or some dilution to mellow out the kick. Nice!

G avatar

This is a really interesting one. I was trying to finish up the last of some cheap London Dry gin and some mid-shelf whiskey, so my expectations for this were very low, but I was shockingly surprised! The sweetness of the Kahlua is reigned in and helps cover the sharpness of the cheap gin and whiskey, and all in all makes for a pleasant drink. Curious to try nicer, more aromatic gins as @alex above said, as I can see that adding a nice layer to what's already a very nice blend of flavors. Adding a splash of water or waiting a moment for ice cubes to melt also helps mellow out the mix.

Who would've thought coffee liqueur and gin could work so well!

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

Ingredient substitutions icon

Can I use a different type of whiskey if I don't have the specific one recommended for a Bow Tie cocktail?

Yes, you can use any type of whiskey you have available although the flavor profile might change slightly depending on the whiskey's characteristics. Rye whiskey can add a spicy note, while a smoother bourbon might make it sweeter.

Serving suggestions icon

What is the best way to serve a Bow Tie cocktail to preserve its flavors and presentation?

The Bow Tie cocktail is best served in a whiskey glass, as recommended. To preserve its flavors and presentation, serve it cold and immediately after stirring the ingredients together. Avoid adding ice directly to the glass to prevent dilution; instead, chill the ingredients beforehand.

Preparation techniques icon

Why is the Bow Tie cocktail stirred and not shaken?

The Bow Tie cocktail is stirred rather than shaken to maintain the clarity and smooth texture of the drink. Shaking can introduce air bubbles and cloudiness, which would detract from its elegant appearance and subtly alter the taste profile.

Alcohol content comparison icon

How does the alcohol content in a Bow Tie cocktail compare to that of a standard cocktail?

With an alcohol content of 32%, the Bow Tie cocktail is stronger than many standard cocktails, which typically have an alcohol content ranging from 15% to 30%. Its higher strength is due to the combination of whiskey, coffee liqueur, and gin without the addition of mixers that would dilute it.

Food pairings icon

What are some food pairings that complement a Bow Tie cocktail?

Given its rich and robust flavors from whiskey, coffee liqueur, and gin, the Bow Tie cocktail pairs well with hearty and savory dishes. Consider pairing it with grilled steak, roasted pork, or rich chocolate desserts to complement its deep flavors.

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...)

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
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