Gin, stirred
Wiffin
Barline 1h,Q,h,1d,cl
The code is the shorthand off my printed menu; the Key tab decodes every letter.
- 1 1/2 oz Gin
- 3/4 oz Sweet vermouth
- 1/2 oz Cognac
- 1 dash Absinthe
Stir with ice until cold, then strain.
Coupe, lemon twist.
Taste
An ounce and a half of gin against three-quarters of sweet vermouth, then a half ounce of cognac, grape spirit under gin. One dash of absinthe puts a thin anise edge on it. Stirred, coupe, lemon twist. Two spirits and vermouth, wormwood at the edge.
History
The Wiffin is not a pre-1970 bar-book drink. P. G. Wodehouse, in the 1928 story "The Passing of Ambrose," has Ambrose Wiffin sketch a cocktail of gin, Italian vermouth, a spot of old brandy, and a dash of absinthe. David Wondrich reconstructed the formula in Australian Bartender in 2011: English gin, Italian vermouth, cognac, and a dash or two of absinthe. This menu pours an ounce and a half of gin, three-quarters sweet vermouth, a half ounce of cognac, and one dash of absinthe, coupe, lemon.
Same shape, other bottles
The Martini family, with the bottle that changed.
- Villa Straylightdry vermouth for sweet vermouth
- Waldorfrye for gin and cognac
- Corpse Reviver No. 1apple brandy for gin
- Dirty Martinidry vermouth for sweet vermouth
- Fanciullibourbon for gin and cognac
- Tuxedo #2dry vermouth for sweet vermouth
This is one drink on my home bar's menu. Tick the bottles you own and the menu lists which of all 185 drinks they pour, or read the index of every drink.