Absolut Gangster

The Absolut Gangster is a spirit-forward, stirred cocktail that mixes vodka, French aromatized wine, simple syrup and clove bitters. It’s essentially an Old Fashioned made with vodka instead of bourbon.

“You’re getting that hit of clove; you’re getting all those fresh spices from the Lillet Blanc. With Absolut Vodka, you get that pure butterscotch and taste of the winter wheat,” explains Rico.

“It’s one of the best drinks on the market. I know I created it, but I’m allowed to say it because I’m your favorite bartender’s favorite bartender!” he adds.

The Absolut Gangster was created in 2016 by Ricardo ‘Rico’ Dynan. As Rico explains in the video, the creation of this drink is what got him the job as Absolut Global Brand Ambassador. The name comes from the fact it’s made with Absolut Vodka.

• Serve it “slightly premature”
  As Rico explains, “You want to stir it until it’s nice and chilled. You can tell by keeping your hand on this mixing glass. Personally, I would say that you want to serve it a little bit premature so that you get the full development of the drink as you sit and sip it.”

• Hollis
  The Hollis is the winter version of the Absolut Gangster. To make the Hollis, simply substitute Lillet Blanc for Lillet Rouge and clove bitters for chocolate bitters.

  Cozy, chocolate-y and delicious, check out the drink recipe for a Hollis.

• Summertime Cookout
  The Summertime Cookout is a summer version of the Absolut Gangster, which uses Lillet Rose instead of Lillet Blanc and grapefruit bitters instead of clove bitters.

  The result is clean, fresh and citrusy with the grapefruit bitters working incredibly well with the vodka. Discover how to make the Summertime Cookout.

• Serve the Absolut Gangster in a short, sturdy glass such as a Rocks Glass or Old-Fashioned glass.

• Place a large ice cube or chunk of piece at the bottom of your glass so that it melts slowly, ensuring minimal dilution while keeping the drink chilled.

• To garnish, we recommend a piece of orange zest. But before dropping it into your glass, give the zest a squeeze to express the oils from the zest.

• Absolut Gangster Batched
  The godfather of all cocktails – made bigger than ever! When you’ve got a crowd to impress, make a batch of this bad boy, and it’ll be an offer they can’t refuse!Here’s how to make a batched Vodka Old Fashioned…or what Rico calls the Absolut Gangster!
  Ingredients:
  • 775 ml Absolut Vodka
  • 160 ml Lillet Blanc
  • 50 ml Rich Syrup
  • 20 Dashes of Clove Bitters
  • Orange Zest
  • Ice Cubes (for mixing)
  • Large Ice Cube (for serving)

  Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Measuring Jug
  • Glass Jar
  • Jigger
  • Bar Spoon
  • Mixing Glass
  • Julep Strainer
  • Rocks Glass

  How to make a batch of Absolut Gangster cocktails:

   

  1. Grab a 1-liter bottle of Absolut Vodka, pour 225 ml out into a measuring jug, then into a jar. Set the jar aside to make some other vodka cocktails for another time.
  2. Measure 160 ml of Lillet Blanc into the measuring jug, then pour it directly into the Absolut Vodka bottle.
  3. Pour 65 ml of rich syrup into the measuring jug, before pouring it into the bottle.
  4. Add 20 dashes of clove bitters.
  5. Give the bottle a shake and then put it in the fridge (preferably overnight).
  6. When ready to serve, take the bottle out of the fridge and use a jigger to measure and pour 50 ml into a mixing glass.
  7. Garnish with a strip of orange zest, squeeze it over the glass to release the oils, then drop the zest directly into your glass.