Abbey Cocktail Recipe & Ingredients (with Easy Step-by-Step Video) 

Did you know the Abbey cocktail inspired the famous Abbey Road album by the Beatles? Well, that was a bold-faced lie. Still, it's a great drink!

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Let’s be brutally honest—most pre-prohibition cocktails are about as exciting as watching paint dry. But the Abbey Cocktail proves that sometimes the old-school drinks got it exactly right. 🍸

Look, I’ve made thousands of drinks in my cramped apartment kitchen, and this one still makes me smile every time. 🔥

Abbey cocktail

Abbey Cocktail

Recipe by Julian Solorzano
4.5 from 2 votes

The Abbey Cocktail is a refined pre-prohibition era drink that combines London Dry gin with fresh orange juice and Lillet Blanc, finished with a dash of orange bitters. It’s served straight up and garnished with an orange peel, creating a balanced blend of citrus, botanical, and wine-based aromatics.

Course: Coup GlassCuisine: Pre-Prohibition CocktailDifficulty: Easy
Servings

1

servings
Calories

185

kcal
Total time

2

minutes

Ingredients

  • 1.5 Ounces London Dry Gin

  • 3/4 Ounces Fresh Orange Juice

  • 3/4 Ounces Lillet Blanc

  • 2 Dashes Orange Bitters

  • 1 Piece Orange Peel (for garnish)

Directions

  • Chill a coupe glass with ice and set aside.
  • Add gin, fresh orange juice, Lillet Blanc, and orange bitters to a shaker filled with ice.
  • Shake vigorously for 10-12 seconds until well-chilled.
  • Double strain into the chilled coupe glass.
  • Express the orange peel over the drink and use as garnish.

Recipe Video

Notes

  • Fresh orange juice is non-negotiable here – bottled juice will make this drink taste like a sad breakfast mimosa.
  • If you can’t find Lillet Blanc, Cocchi Americano makes a worthy substitute, though it will add a slightly more bitter edge.
  • Always taste your oranges before juicing – if they’re too sweet or too tart, adjust the proportions slightly.

Why I Like It

The way the Lillet Blanc mingles with the gin! I particularly love how the orange oils from the expressed peel create this amazing aromatic first impression.

The Best Ingredients For an Abbey Cocktail

You will want a gin that complements the rest of the ingredients well. You can use a standard dry gin but try experimenting with gins that offer an interesting smell and flavor profile. Pomp and Whimsy, Aviation American, and Hendricks gin offer exceptional natural fruit and botanical notes that add extra synergy to the Abbey cocktail.

You can use any orange bitters to add flavor to the Abbey cocktail, but I personally enjoy using the Hella orange bitters. It’s affordable and usually comes in a variety pack with other different Hella bitters that come in handy for other boozy occasions.

Remember to always have fresh fruit when making juices for your cocktails, as well as your garnish.

Image of the abby cocktail vertical.
Image of the abby cocktail vertical.

A Brief History of the Abbey Cocktail

The Abbey first appeared in Harry Craddock’s legendary 1930 Savoy Cocktail Book, though its true origins remain shrouded in mystery. Unlike its alphabetical neighbor the Alaska Cocktail, the Abbey doesn’t have a dramatic origin story – it simply emerged during the golden age of cocktails.

Through the decades, the Abbey has remained remarkably consistent in its recipe, though some modern interpretations experiment with different vermouths or orange liqueurs. The drink’s staying power speaks to its perfect balance of flavors.

Today’s craft cocktail movement has brought renewed attention to this pre-prohibition gem. Contemporary bartenders appreciate its straightforward elegance and how it showcases quality ingredients without unnecessary complications.

Final Thoughts

The Abbey Cocktail is a testament to the power of simplicity in mixology. 🍸 It’s a pre-prohibition classic that proves you don’t need smoke, flames, or twelve obscure ingredients to create something spectacular.

When made with care and quality ingredients, it delivers roughly 185 calories of sophisticated refreshment. Base ingredients: Gin, Orange Juice, Lillet Blanc.

Jedain crimson cocktail 2.
Written by Jedain Arron, Founder and writer

Hey there! 👋 I'm Jedain, a 30-something-year-old Cocktail enthusiast from Columbus, Ohio. I've fallen head over heels for the art of crafting cocktails, with a particular passion for anything whiskey-based. (Bourbon has captured my heart).

This blog documents my adventures in mixology (shakers, stirrers, and all). Follow along as I explore classic and contemporary cocktail recipes, share my favorite Bourbon discoveries, and chronicle my journey through the world of craft spirits and cocktail creation.

Nick eggert.
Edited by Nick Eggert, Editor

Nick is our staff editor and co-founder. He has a passion for writing, editing, and website development. His expertise lies in shaping content with precision and managing digital spaces with a keen eye for detail. When not working on the site, you can find him sipping Bourbon at the karaoke bar.

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