Easy
Fruity
3 minutes
Cocktail Glass
Ingredients
How to Make an Alligator
Bar tools you’ll need
Fine Strainer
Jigger
Boston Shaker
How to Mix
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Add Ice Cubes to the Boston Shaker.
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Pour Gin, Lemon Juice and Kiwi Liqueur into the Shaker.
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Shake until well mixed and chilled.
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Strain into a chilled Cocktail Glass.
All about the Alligator
The Alligator cocktail is a spirit-forward tropical drink known for its bold, tart, and sweet flavor. It’s made with Gin, Lemon Juice, and Kiwi Liqueur. You shake these up with Ice Cubes in a Boston Shaker and strain the result into a chilled Cocktail Glass. The mix is simple, but the flavor packs a punch. This drink is celebrated for how it balances vibrant fruit and citrus notes with an undercurrent of botanical depth.
Each Alligator cocktail gives a burst of tart citrus and lush kiwi, balanced against nuanced botanicals of gin and the sweet punch of liqueur. It’s tropical and vibrant, dancing between zingy and smooth, all in one sip.
Legend says the Alligator cocktail first crawled out of New Orleans during the city’s Prohibition-era speakeasy days in the 1920s, channeling the spiky, wild spirit of the American South. Other stories credit 1930s Parisian café culture or even 1940s American tiki lounges, where bartenders tweaked the recipe for different vibes and rationing times. No matter which tale you believe, the Alligator always brought an unexpected twist and a touch of bold rebellion.
- Gin Glow-Up Try a navy-strength or citrus-forward gin and pre-chill it in the freezer to limit dilution.
- Lemon Juice Hack Always use freshly squeezed Lemon Juice and cut lemons into cheeks for more juice and less bitterness.
- Kiwi Liqueur Level-Up Hunt for a small-batch Kiwi Liqueur or muddle fresh Kiwi for a boost in flavor, then strain for a pulp-free finish.
- Shake Smarter Use one big Ice Cube and some crushed Ice in your Boston Shaker, then double strain for silkiness.
- Garnish Game-Changer Torch Citrus Twists or Kiwi Wheels, or drop in something colorful like an Edible Flower for visual intrigue.
- Torch the Garnish Lightly torch a Kiwi Wheel or Lemon Twist using a kitchen lighter for subtle smoky notes.
- Frozen Coupe Glass Freeze your Coupe Glass a few minutes before serving for an extra chill.
- Edible Flowers Top with an Edible Flower or sprig of Micro-Cilantro for a show-stopping look.
- Kiwi Ice Freeze Kiwi Slices and use them as garnish that doubles as an edible ice cube.
Alligator FAQ
The Alligator is typically served as a full cocktail in a Cocktail Glass, while the Alligator Shot Drink is a smaller, concentrated version often layered and served in a Shot Glass. Both use tropical flavors but offer different experiences.
Yes, the Alligator cocktail is known for its bold, tropical notes from Kiwi Liqueur and fresh Lemon Juice, giving it that island-inspired vibe-on par with classics like the Gator Bite Drink.
You can pre-batch the Alligator by mixing Gin, Lemon Juice, and Kiwi Liqueur ahead of time. Keep it chilled, then shake with ice just before serving for best texture and taste.
The Alligator drink pairs well with light appetizers, seafood, or spicy foods. Its tart and sweet notes cut through richness and bring out bright flavors in your bites.
