Racquet Club Cocktail Recipe

The Racquet Club is not far off from a true gin Martini. It comes with a healthy amount of vermouth, which makes it less dry than the traditional martini, which is very dry indeed. The Raquet Club cocktail also adds a couple of dashes of orange bitters to shake up the flavor.

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Why You Need to Try It

The Racquet Club cocktail is one of those drinks that feels both familiar and fresh at the same time. If you’re a fan of martinis, you’ll spot the similarities right away—gin, dry vermouth, cold glass.

But what really sets this drink apart are a couple of key tweaks: the higher amount of vermouth and the addition of orange bitters. These little changes make a big difference.

Most traditional gin martinis go very light on vermouth. Some recipes call for just a rinse or a few drops. The Racquet Club, though, flips that on its head with a full ounce of dry vermouth for every two ounces of gin. That means the vermouth is more than just an afterthought—it’s a real part of the flavor.

Then there are the orange bitters. They add a subtle citrus note that you don’t get in a classic martini. It’s not overpowering, but it gives the drink more complexity and makes it stand out from the crowd.

Choosing Your Gin and Vermouth

Since there aren’t many ingredients in this drink, each one matters a lot.

Gin

Pick a gin that you actually enjoy sipping. London Dry gin is classic and works well here, but if you like a more floral or citrusy gin, go for it. Just remember, the gin’s flavor will be front and center.

Vermouth

Don’t skimp on the vermouth either! A good dry vermouth should taste fresh and herbal, never stale or overly sweet. Store it in the fridge once opened, because vermouth can go bad after a month or so at room temperature.

Orange Bitters

Don’t underestimate what a couple of dashes of orange bitters can do! If you’ve never tried orange bitters before, you’re in for a treat.

They’re not sweet like orange juice or orange liqueur. Instead, they add a tiny bit of brightness and spice. You only need a couple dashes—any more and it’ll take over the drink.

A few popular brands to look for are Regans’ Orange Bitters No. 6 and Angostura Orange Bitters. You can usually find them in the cocktail section at your local liquor store.

Garnish Ideas

A classic martini comes with an olive or a lemon twist. For the Racquet Club, both work great! The orange bitters pair nicely with a twist of orange peel or lemon peel if you want to highlight those citrus notes. If you like it savory, try an olive instead.

If you do use a lemon peel, do be sure to squeeze it over the drink to release some aromatic oils.

Serving Suggestions

The Racquet Club is definitely an “adult” drink—strong, cold, and made to sip slowly. It’s a great choice before dinner (what people call an “aperitif”), since it wakes up your taste buds without filling you up.

Pair it with salty snacks like roasted nuts, olives, or even some cheese and crackers. If you’re having people over, these simple bites let the drink shine without much effort.

Exploring Other Bitters and Flavor Twists

If you’ve made the Racquet Club a few times and want to branch out, bitters are a fun place to experiment. Besides orange bitters, you could try:

• Grapefruit bitters for a sharp, zesty twist.
• Cardamom bitters for a warm spice flavor.
• Lavender bitters for a floral touch.

You can even combine two types of bitters if you’re feeling adventurous. Just remember to go light—a dash is powerful!

For a slightly sweeter version, swap out half of the dry vermouth for blanc vermouth (which is less sweet than sweet vermouth but rounder than dry). This creates a softer, smoother drink.f

How Does It Compare To Other Classic Cocktails?

If you’re wondering how the Racquet Club stacks up against other classics, here’s a quick comparison:

• Martini: Much drier, less vermouth, no bitters (unless you ask for them).
• Gibson: Same basic recipe as a martini but garnished with a cocktail onion.
• Martinez: Uses sweet vermouth instead of dry and often has maraschino liqueur; sweeter and rounder.
• Negroni: Equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari; much more bitter and herbal.

So the Racquet Club sits somewhere between a martini and some of those more flavorful classics—a perfect middle ground if you want something familiar but with a twist.

Making It Your Own

The best thing about cocktails like this is how easy they are to tweak:

• Try different gins to see which ones you like best.
• Up or lower the vermouth depending on how dry you want it.
• Experiment with bitters—there are grapefruit bitters, chocolate bitters, even lavender bitters if you’re feeling adventurous.

Take notes as you go so you can remember your favorite combos!

Hosting a Racquet Club Cocktail Night

If you want to impress some friends (or just have fun at home), try hosting a Racquet Club cocktail night. Set up a little station with all the ingredients: a couple of gins, a bottle or two of vermouth, different bitters, and garnishes like lemon peels and olives.

Print out or write down the basic recipe and let everyone mix their own version. Encourage people to try different gins or swap out bitters to see what they like best. It’s a great way to learn about flavors together—and nobody has to be a pro bartender!

What If You Don’t Like Gin?

Gin isn’t everyone’s favorite. I have actually heard people say it tastes like Christmas trees, which makes me wonder how they spend their holidays. (To be fair, it’s a juniper flavor and it’s similar to pine.)

If that’s you but you still want to try something close to the Racquet Club, swap in vodka for gin. The drink will be smoother and less herbal but still refreshing.

Or, if you’re open to experimenting, try half gin and half vodka. This softens the gin flavor but keeps some of its character.

Making It Non-Alcoholic

You’re thinking how can a martini possibly be non-alcoholic? That’s what I thought, but… try this:

• 2 ounces non-alcoholic gin (like Seedlip Garden)
• 1 ounce non-alcoholic homemade dry vermouth alternative
• 2 dashes orange bitters (look for non-alcoholic ones!)

Shake with ice and strain into a chilled glass. Add a lemon twist just like the original.

Pairing Food With the Racquet Club Cocktail

Since this drink is crisp and strong, it’s best with simple snacks that won’t drown out its flavor. Here are some easy ideas:

• Marcona almonds or roasted nuts (salty is best)
• Green olives or stuffed olives
• Cheese board with sharp cheddar or Manchego
• Cured meats like prosciutto or salami
• Thinly sliced smoked salmon on crackers
• Crispy potato chips (trust me!)

These snacks play off the herbal gin and bright bitters without competing with them.

 

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