20th Century Cocktail 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.
The 20th Century sits firmly in the modern gin-cocktail lane: a crisp, aromatic sour-leaning drink that feels like a twist on the classic “spirit + aromatised wine + citrus” template. While it shares a name with earlier, better-documented classics, this version reads as a contemporary variation built for drinkers who like their gin sharpened with citrus and softened with a touch of liqueur richness.
You’ll find gin’s botanicals leading the charge, with lemon juice bringing a clean, bright snap that keeps everything lifted. Lillet Blanc adds a gentle, winey sweetness and a rounded, floral edge that smooths the lemon’s tartness. Coffee liqueur comes in as a dark, sweet counterpoint, deepening the mid-palate and giving the finish a richer, more lingering sweetness without drowning out the gin.
Serve it in a chilled cocktail glass when you want something sleek and grown-up but not heavy. It suits pre-dinner sipping, late-night catch-ups, or any moment you’re craving a citrusy gin drink with a subtle, coffee-tinged twist. If you like balanced sours and aromatised-wine cocktails, this one lands right in your wheelhouse.
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 bright botanicals sharpened by lemon juice, while Lillet Blanc adds a soft, honeyed wine note and coffee liqueur brings a roasted, bittersweet undercurrent that lingers behind the citrus. It works because the lemon’s snap lifts the coffee liqueur’s depth and keeps Lillet Blanc from feeling too round; ideal for gin sour fans who like a subtle mocha edge.
Method
How to make a 20th Century
- Gin 45ml, Coffee liqueur 15ml, Lillet Blanc 20ml, Lemon juice 20ml
-
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice
-
- Shake well for 10-15 seconds or until the outside of the shaker becomes frosted
-
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, garnish with a lemon twist and serve
Power tips
Elevate the 20th Century 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- Chill the gin prior to shaking to preserve its aromatic qualities and enhance the crispness of the cocktail.
- Use a high-quality coffee liqueur with a smooth finish to avoid 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 history or origin of the 20th Century cocktail?
The 20th Century cocktail is named after the 20th Century Limited train service that ran between New York City and Chicago from 1902 to 1967. The cocktail is said to have been created by a British bartender named C.A. Tuck in the early 1900s. It was first published in the Cafe Royal Cocktail Book compiled by William J. Tarling in 1937, making it a classic cocktail from the early 20th century.
What does Lillet Blanc add to the 20th Century cocktail?
Lillet Blanc is a key ingredient in the 20th Century cocktail. It's a wine-based aperitif with flavors of citrus, honey, and exotic fruits, combined with a subtle bitterness. In the cocktail, Lillet Blanc adds a floral and fruity complexity, balancing the tartness of the lemon juice and the depth of the coffee liqueur, while complementing the botanicals of the gin.
Can I substitute another ingredient for Lillet Blanc in the 20th Century cocktail?
While Lillet Blanc is a distinctive ingredient in the 20th Century cocktail, if you don't have it on hand, a possible substitute is another aromatized wine or aperitif such as Cocchi Americano. Cocchi Americano offers a similar balance of sweet, bitter, and citrus notes that can mimic the role of Lillet Blanc in the cocktail. However, keep in mind that each substitute will slightly alter the original flavor profile.
How do I achieve the best texture when shaking the 20th Century cocktail?
To achieve the best texture when shaking the 20th Century cocktail, start with high-quality ice, preferably large cubes that won't dilute the drink too quickly. Shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds to properly chill and dilute the cocktail while introducing the right amount of aeration. Strain it into a cold cocktail glass to ensure the smoothest texture and the best balance between the ingredients.
What food pairings work well with the 20th Century cocktail?
The 20th Century cocktail, with its balanced blend of tart, sweet, and bitter flavors, pairs well with a variety of foods. Consider serving it with appetizers like smoked salmon canapés or creamy cheese selections, which complement the cocktail’s complexity. Light seafood dishes, such as shrimp cocktail or oysters, also enhance its crisp and refreshing quality. For dessert, try pairing it with a lemon tart or dark chocolate to match its citrusy and deep notes.
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
Try this lavender-infused champagne cocktail
Lavender French 75
Gin, Champagne / prosecco, Lemon juice, Lavender syrup
Try this Prohibition era delight with honey and gin.
Bee's Knees
Gin, Lemon juice, Honey syrup
Discover this gin and grapefruit refreshment with a twist
Salty Dog
Gin, Grapefruit juice, Salt
Experience this bold mix of gin and vermouth.
San Martin
Gin, Yellow Chartreuse, Red 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