Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Add all ingredients to a shaker filled with ice
Shake until frosty and well-chilled
Double strain into a chilled coupe
Garnish with a lemon twist and optional cherry
Glassware
Served up in a chilled coupe
Garnish
Express oils over the drink
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Balance maraschino carefully—it can dominate
A lemon-forward twist brightens the profile
Chill ingredients and glassware for peak crispness
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Casino.
Dry Casino
A pre-Prohibition cocktail that champions the complex botanicals of gin against the nuanced sweetness of maraschino liqueur and the bright acidity of fresh lemon.
Violette Casino
A sophisticated modern classic that bridges the gap between the Casino and Aviation cocktails, combining Old Tom gin, maraschino liqueur, and a whisper of crème de violette for elegant complexity.
Casino Royale
A sophisticated gin cocktail with maraschino liqueur and lemon juice – elegant, complex, and refined like its namesake casino.
History & Heritage
“First printed in Hugo Ensslin's 1917 *Recipes for Mixed Drinks*, the Casino pairs Old Tom gin and maraschino in a lemony sour accented with orange bitters. Harry Craddock later included it in the 1930 *Savoy Cocktail Book*, preserving the recipe through Prohibition's end. The drink faded as Old Tom disappeared but returned with the craft-cocktail revival.”
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Dry Casino
A pre-Prohibition cocktail that champions the complex botanicals of gin against the nuanced sweetness of maraschino liqueur and the bright acidity of fresh lemon.
Violette Casino
A sophisticated modern classic that bridges the gap between the Casino and Aviation cocktails, combining Old Tom gin, maraschino liqueur, and a whisper of crème de violette for elegant complexity.
Casino Royale
A sophisticated gin cocktail with maraschino liqueur and lemon juice – elegant, complex, and refined like its namesake casino.