Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Chill a coupe or Nick & Nora glass
Combine gin, yellow Chartreuse and bitters in a mixing glass with ice
Stir 25–30 seconds until very cold and properly diluted
Strain into the chilled glass
Express and drop in a lemon twist
Glassware
Served up in a chilled coupe
Garnish
Express oils and discard or drop in
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Express a fresh lemon twist for brightness
Stir thoroughly to achieve a silky texture
Freeze the serving glass for at least 15 minutes
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Alaska.
Nome
A variation of the Alaska cocktail that adds a touch of dry sherry for nutty, saline complexity alongside gin, Yellow Chartreuse, and orange bitters.
Oriental
A sophisticated pre-Prohibition cocktail representing the intersection of American whiskey tradition and early 20th century's global cocktail culture. The elegant balance of spicy rye, rich sweet vermouth, bright orange curaçao, and tart lime creates a complex yet refreshing flavor profile.
Top Shelf Alaskan
The pinnacle expression of the classic Alaskan cocktail, featuring premium high-proof London Dry gin, Yellow Chartreuse, and orange bitters. This spirit-forward masterpiece showcases the art of balance in pre-Prohibition cocktail culture.
47 Degrees North
A sophisticated variation of the Alaska cocktail with blanc vermouth that softens the gin and Yellow Chartreuse for a more approachable profile—a modern craft cocktail masterpiece.
Other Variations
The Straub (Original)
2 parts Old Tom gin to 1 part Yellow Chartreuse with a dash of bitters, shaken.
Changes
The Savoy
3 parts London Dry gin to 1 part Yellow Chartreuse, no bitters, shaken.
Changes
The Embury
Up to seven parts gin to one part Yellow Chartreuse, served with a lemon twist.
Changes
Peruvian
Reimagines the drink with pisco and Lillet Blanc.
Changes
History & Heritage
“Jacques Straub first documented the Alaska in his 1914 book *Drinks*, pairing Old Tom gin, Yellow Chartreuse and orange bitters. Its name likely nods to the Klondike gold rush and the drink's golden color rather than any Arctic origin. Harry Craddock's 1930 *Savoy Cocktail Book* popularized a drier London Dry version and jokingly noted that it was "not the staple diet of the Esquimaux." The cocktail largely vanished as Old Tom gin fell out of production, but the craft revival of the early 2000s and the return of historic gins restored the Alaska to bar menus worldwide.”
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Nome
A variation of the Alaska cocktail that adds a touch of dry sherry for nutty, saline complexity alongside gin, Yellow Chartreuse, and orange bitters.
Top Shelf Alaskan
The pinnacle expression of the classic Alaskan cocktail, featuring premium high-proof London Dry gin, Yellow Chartreuse, and orange bitters. This spirit-forward masterpiece showcases the art of balance in pre-Prohibition cocktail culture.
47 Degrees North
A sophisticated variation of the Alaska cocktail with blanc vermouth that softens the gin and Yellow Chartreuse for a more approachable profile—a modern craft cocktail masterpiece.