Classic Casino Gin Cocktail with Maraschino and Lemon

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It balances botanical gin, bright lemon, bittersweet orange, and subtle cherry flavor.
• The cocktail takes only a few minutes of active preparation.
• Its pale golden color and elegant garnish make it ideal for dinner parties or a quiet cocktail hour.
• The simple formula is easy to adjust for a drier, sweeter, or more citrus-forward drink.

Grocery List

• Produce: 1 fresh lemon
• Dairy: None needed
• Pantry: Old Tom gin, maraschino liqueur, orange bitters, fresh ice, and brandied or maraschino cherries

Full Ingredients

For the Cocktail

• 2 ounces Old Tom gin: Its gentle sweetness and rounded botanicals suit the classic recipe. London dry gin may be used for a crisper, drier result.
• 1/2 ounce maraschino liqueur: Use clear maraschino liqueur rather than red cherry syrup.
• 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice: Strain out seeds and excess pulp before measuring.
• 2 dashes orange bitters: Approximately 1/8 teaspoon total, depending on the bottle.

For Shaking and Garnishing

• 1 cup fresh ice cubes: Use firm, dry cubes rather than partially melted ice.
• 1 lemon twist: Cut a strip about 3 inches long and 3/4 inch wide, avoiding too much bitter white pith.
• 1 brandied or maraschino cherry: Drain away excess syrup before garnishing.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Chill the serving glass

Place a 5- to 6-ounce coupe or Nick and Nora glass in a 0°F (-18°C) freezer for 10 minutes. A thoroughly chilled glass keeps the Casino crisp and cold without adding extra dilution. If freezer space is limited, fill the glass with ice and cold water while you prepare the drink, then empty and dry it before straining.

Step 2: Prepare the lemon and garnish

Wash and dry the lemon. Use a vegetable peeler or channel knife to remove a twist about 3 inches long and 3/4 inch wide. Juice the lemon, strain the juice through a fine-mesh strainer, and measure exactly 1/2 ounce. Drain one cherry and set it aside with the lemon twist.

Step 3: Measure the cocktail

Pour 2 ounces Old Tom gin, 1/2 ounce maraschino liqueur, 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice, and 2 dashes orange bitters into a cocktail shaker. Measure carefully because maraschino liqueur has a concentrated cherry-almond character that can overwhelm the botanicals if too much is added.

Step 4: Add ice and shake

Add 1 cup of fresh ice cubes to the shaker. Close it securely and shake vigorously for 12 to 15 seconds, or until the outside of the shaker is frosted and the cocktail reaches approximately 25°F (-4°C). The firm shake chills the drink, adds the necessary dilution, and gives the citrus a light, polished texture.

Step 5: Double-strain the cocktail

Remove the chilled glass from the freezer. Strain the cocktail through the shaker’s strainer and a fine-mesh strainer into the glass. Double-straining catches small ice chips and lemon pulp, creating a clear, elegant presentation.

Step 6: Express the lemon oils and garnish

Hold the lemon twist about 2 inches above the cocktail with the yellow side facing the surface. Pinch it firmly to release the fragrant citrus oils over the drink, then run the yellow side lightly around the rim. Place the twist in the glass and add the drained cherry. Serve immediately while the cocktail is at its coldest.

Pro Tips

• Use actual maraschino liqueur: It is a clear, complex spirit made from cherries and their pits, not the syrup from a jar of red cherries.
• Choose the gin to suit your taste: Old Tom gin makes the historically styled version round and gently sweet, while London dry gin produces a sharper, more botanical cocktail.
• Squeeze the lemon just before mixing: Fresh juice gives the drink a clean brightness; bottled juice can taste flat or harsh.
• Use fresh, solid ice: Small or wet cubes melt quickly and may over-dilute the cocktail before it is cold enough.
• Do not skip the expressed lemon oils: The aromatic mist brightens the first sip and ties the lemon juice to the orange bitters.

Variations

• Drier Casino: Use 2 ounces London dry gin and reduce the maraschino liqueur to 1/4 ounce. Keep the lemon juice and orange bitters unchanged.
• Softer Casino: Use 1 3/4 ounces Old Tom gin, 1/2 ounce maraschino liqueur, and 1/2 ounce lemon juice for a slightly lower-proof, fruitier balance.
• Orange-forward Casino: Increase the orange bitters to 3 dashes and replace the lemon twist with a 3-inch orange twist while keeping fresh lemon juice in the cocktail.

Storage & Make-Ahead

A Casino is best shaken and served immediately; a finished cocktail should not be stored because its citrus flavor fades and its texture loses freshness. To prepare ahead, combine 2 ounces gin, 1/2 ounce maraschino liqueur, and 2 dashes orange bitters in a sealed jar and refrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below for up to 24 hours. Refrigerate freshly squeezed lemon juice separately in an airtight container for no more than 24 hours. When ready to serve, add exactly 1/2 ounce lemon juice, shake the mixture with fresh ice, strain, and garnish. Prepare one measured batch for each serving rather than shaking several cocktails in an undersized shaker.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 188 kcal | Carbs: 8g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 7g | Sodium: 2mg | Cholesterol: 0mg