The Gin Aloha Cocktail has a strong orange component in the form of a full shot of Cointreau. Orange liqueurs are often treated as interchangeable, but they all have slightly different flavor profiles. Cointreau is both bitter and sweet, whereas triple sec and curacao is mostly sweet.
Cointreau is not a low-proof liqueur – it’s 80 proof in the US and 70 in the UK, which ranks it near vodka. To that, this recipe adds a full serving of gin, so this drink is a double and you’ll want to savor it.
It needs a touch of sweetness, and that’s taken care of by half an ounce of pineapple juice which adds a nice flavor to the mix. The dash of orange bitters enhances the sweetness too, while also enhancing the orange.
As for your gin, since this drink has so many citrus notes already, Bombay Sapphire is a good choice for this one because it has a lot of botanical flavors which add to the flavor of the cocktail.
Recipe
- 1 1/2 ounces Cointreau
- 1 1/2 ounces gin
- 1/2 ounce pineapple juice
- Dash of orange bitters
Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Pour in all the ingredients and shake until chilled. Strain the mixture into a martini glass. Garnish with an orange twist.
