Pegu Club
- Glass
- Coupe
- Difficulty
- Easy
- ABV
- ~22%
Ingredients
- 2 ozgin60 ml
- ¾ ozorange curaçao22 ml
- ¾ ozfresh lime juice22 ml
- 1 dashangostura bitters1 dash
- 1 dashorange bitters1 dash
Instructions
Combine gin, orange curaçao, fresh lime juice, Angostura bitters, and orange bitters in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for 12–15 seconds until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a lime wheel or twist. The Pegu Club is a bright, citrus-forward gin cocktail with a subtle bitter backbone from the two bitters.
Sips & Tips
Technique
Shake this drink hard and strain it fine — you want it bright and clean in the glass. The two bitters (Angostura and orange) work together to add depth without making the drink taste bitter. Use a single dash of each; more will overwhelm the citrus.
Balance
The orange curaçao provides both sweetness and orange flavor, so you don't need additional sugar. Use a quality curaçao like Pierre Ferrand or Grand Marnier. The lime should be fresh-squeezed — the acidity balances the sweetness of the curaçao perfectly.
History
The Pegu Club cocktail originated at the Pegu Club in Rangoon, Burma (now Myanmar) during the British colonial era, around the 1920s. It was the signature drink of the officers' club and became famous worldwide through Harry Craddock's Savoy Cocktail Book. The famous New York bar Pegu Club (2005–2020) was named after this cocktail.
The Pegu Club is one of those cocktails that deserves more attention — it's perfectly balanced, endlessly drinkable, and works in any season. A true hidden gem of the classic canon. Cheers.
Variations
Pegu Club with Cointreau
Substitute Cointreau for orange curaçao. Cointreau is drier and more citrus-forward, which makes the drink slightly less sweet and more crisp. Both versions are excellent.
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Pegu Club
Glass: Coupe | Difficulty: Easy | ABV: ~22%
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- ¾ oz orange curaçao
- ¾ oz fresh lime juice
- 1 dash angostura bitters
- 1 dash orange bitters
Instructions
Combine gin, orange curaçao, fresh lime juice, Angostura bitters, and orange bitters in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for 12–15 seconds until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a lime wheel or twist. The Pegu Club is a bright, citrus-forward gin cocktail with a subtle bitter backbone from the two bitters.