Pegu Club #2
A definitive gin sour from the twilight of the British Empire, perfectly balanced and bracingly tart with botanical complexities of gin, bright lime, orange curaçao, and aromatic bitters.
28%
ABV
205
Calories
Coupe
Glass
Flavor Journey
History & Heritage
“The Pegu Club cocktail was the signature drink of the Pegu Club, a gentlemen's club for British colonial officials located outside Rangoon, Burma (now Yangon, Myanmar). Founded in 1871, the club became a center of British power and social life. The cocktail likely emerged in the 1920s as a refreshing antidote to the sweltering Burmese heat. The first known printed recipe appeared in Harry MacElhone's *Harry's ABC of Mixing Cocktails* (1922-1923), and it gained international fame through Harry Craddock's *The Savoy Cocktail Book* (1930). The drink was revived in the early 2000s by Audrey Saunders, who named her influential New York bar "Pegu Club" in its honor.”
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
2 oz
0.8 oz
0.8 oz
1 dash
1 dash
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Chill a coupe or cocktail glass in freezer for at least 15 minutes
Squeeze fresh lime juice just before making cocktail
Combine gin, orange curaçao, fresh lime juice, Angostura bitters, and orange bitters in cocktail shaker
Fill shaker three-quarters full with high-quality, solid ice cubes
Shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds until shaker is frosty and well-chilled
Double strain through Hawthorne strainer and fine-mesh strainer into chilled glass
Garnish with lime wedge or lime twist, expressing oils over drink surface
Glassware
Chilled coupe glass
Garnish
Express oils from lime peel over drink surface
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Use juniper-forward London Dry Gin like Tanqueray or Beefeater
Fresh lime juice is non-negotiable - never use bottled
Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao is preferred over sweet triple sec
Double strain to remove ice shards and citrus pulp
Both Angostura and orange bitters are essential for complexity
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Pegu Club #2.
Other Variations
The Savoy Spec
Original recipe with 4:1 gin to curaçao ratio and minimal lime juice.
Changes
Dry Variation
More gin-forward with increased gin and reduced sweeteners.
Changes
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Pegu Royale
A modern, effervescent twist on the classic Pegu Club cocktail, elevating the original gin-based sour with Champagne to create a celebratory and more complex libation.
Pegu Club
A zesty gin sour from the British colonial club in Rangoon, balancing citrus, bitters, and orange liqueur.
Black Manhattan
A modern classic swapping sweet vermouth for Averna amaro—rye, Averna, and bitters stirred silky cold for a brooding, bittersweet sipper.