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.