This classic gin cocktail is great for die-hard fans of Old Tom gins. The Casino pairs Old Tom gin with maraschino, lemon, and bitters to form a fairly strong and bold drink.

Casino Gin Cocktail ingredients 2 — Casino Gin Cocktail ingredients

As the modern-day Old Tom gins are starting to diversify, you will find different levels of sweetness to the gin. The tastes of your particular Old Tom will dictate how much of the sweet maraschino liqueur you want to add. I used Ransom Old Tom gin, which is not heavily sweetened and has some spice. This makes the Casino bold and almost bitter. Other brands are sweeter, which may work for you.

This particular recipe for the Casino speaks heavily to the version in that famous book, The Savoy Cocktail Book by Harry Craddock. Incidentally, or not, Harry made lots of other strong gin-based drinks, of which his Corpse Reviver #2 is quite famous.

Casino Gin cocktail with luxardo cherry garnishi

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The Casino

A classic gin cocktail with Old Tom, lemon, bitters, and maraschino. It's bold.

Ingredients

2 Oz. Old Tom Gin
.25 Oz. Luxardo or maraschino liqueur
.25 Oz Lemon juice
2 Dashes Orange bitters

Instructions

Your coupe glass can chill for a bit with some ice, toss the ice just before you pour.
In a shaker with ice, combine your Old Tom gin, maraschino, lemon juice, and bitters.
Shake for at least 30 seconds or so.
Strain into your coupe glass.
Garnish with a Luxardo cherry.

Woodford Reserve Orange Bitters 2 Fluid Ounces (Wine)

$12.71 ($211.83 / Liters)

Luxardo The Original Maraschino Cherries | Gourmet Italian Maraschino Cherries | Ideal for Cocktails and Desserts, 400g Jar (Wine)

$23.75 ($1.67 / Fl Oz)

Zulay Kitchen Cast-Iron Orange Juice Squeezer – Heavy-Duty, Easy-to-Clean, Professional Citrus Juicer – Durable Stainless Steel Lemon Squeezer – Sturdy Manual Citrus Press & Orange Squeezer (Copper) (Kitchen)

$109.99

Hospitality Glass Brands 440236-012 Timeless Coupe, 9 oz. (Pack of 12) (Misc.)

$70.00 ($5.83 / Count)

Interesting tidbits about making cocktails, especially classic gin drinks, from old recipes.

Many of the recipes for the Casino include directions for a bar spoon – which is roughly the equivalent of a teaspoon. If you don’t already have a bar spoon, they come in handy for several reasons. One end is the bar spoon for measuring. The length of this bar tool makes for easy stirring, and the other end is usually a flat disc for muddling things. Three tools in one.

Strain your Casino Cocktail – this sorts out any last bits of pulp and ice.

Other older cocktail recipes call for a “glass” as a form of measuring. Well, if I was to define a “glass”, it would be a wine glass, filled to the brim. Turns out, this measurement is a bit more specific and is roughly 2 oz.

Do try this one – it’s definitely an acquired taste. I do recommend making your own Luxardo Cherries, it’s fast, easy, and one batch can give you lots of snacks or garnishes. Whichever.