Algonquin Cocktail

Flirtini Vodka and Pineapple Martini

The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

The Algonquin cocktail is a great whiskey martini with a little tropical flair. It features rye whiskey, pairing it with dry vermouth and pineapple juice to create a refreshing, light cocktail that is a perfect way to enjoy whiskey during the heat of summer. Serve it for dinner or just sit back after a long day and relax with an impressive drink on the patio.

This cocktail was named after the famous Algonquin Hotel in New York City although when it was created is unclear. The midtown Manhattan hotel, built in 1902, was known as a "dry" hotel well before Prohibition. Whether the cocktail came about before or after the 1930s is up for debate. It really doesn't matter, though, because this is still and always will be one of the great classic cocktails.

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, pour the rye whiskey, dry vermouth, and pineapple juice.

  3. Shake well.

  4. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

  5. Serve and enjoy.

Tips

  • Stir the Algonquin if you like. Pineapple juice gets foamy when shaken and some people don't enjoy this aspect. However, it does settle after a few minutes.
  • Thankfully, rye whiskey has come back into fashion after a few decades of low production and visibility. There are now a number of great brands to choose from, and any of these would work wonderfully for this cocktail.
  • Unsweetened pineapple juice is generally recommended by traditionalists who appreciate this cocktail with a drier profile.
  • To ensure the cleanest pineapple taste, run the fruit through an electric juicer or mash a few chunks of pineapple with a muddler before adding the other ingredients.

Recipe Variations

  • Give the drink a nice accent by adding a few dashes of orange bitters. You can also squeeze an orange peel into the drink to express its oils.
  • Some modern interpretations of this recipe prefer it a little sweeter and use a pineapple gomme syrup. In these variations, the pour is often reduced to 1/2 ounce to maintain the drink's balance.
  • Other sweetened versions keep the pineapple juice and add a dash of honey syrup (equal parts honey and water mixed to an even consistency).

How Strong Is an Algonquin Cocktail?

Thanks to the pineapple juice, this cocktail is a little lighter than whiskey favorites such as the Manhattan. When made with an 80 proof rye whiskey, you can expect its alcohol content to fall in the 20 percent ABV (40 proof) range. That's half the strength of the whiskey when served straight, so a couple of rounds will add up.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
142 Calories
0g Fat
6g Carbs
0g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 142
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 3mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 6g 2%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 10mg 51%
Calcium 5mg 0%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 52mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)