Morning Glory Cocktail

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
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Updated on 04/24/21
Classic Morning Glory Cocktail
Jeff Kauck / Getty Images
Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

The morning glory is a classic cocktail with attitude. This recipe is adapted from the 1887 edition of Jerry Thomas' "Bar-Tenders Guide" and is said to be one of the "hair of the dog" hangover cures from back in the day. It definitely packs a punch—in both flavor and alcohol—and if you're indeed drinking it in the morning, you might not want to have a lot planned for your day.

This is actually an amazing little drink. The cocktail combines a spicy rye whiskey with a smooth cognac ("brandy" was suggested by Thomas) with a whole host of flavor accents. These include the sweet citrus taste of orange curaçao, the fizziness of club soda, a hint of bitters, and a kiss of absinthe. Originally, it used gomme syrup, though simple syrup is standard today.

These flavors span the spectrum of the bar and the drink can easily become unbalanced if too much of one ingredient is used. This is especially true for the absinthe, so measuring each ingredient out properly is key to creating a great morning glory cocktail.

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In a mixing glass filled with ice, pour the rye whiskey, cognac, curaçao, absinthe, simple syrup, and bitters.

  3. Stir well, for at least 30 seconds.

  4. Strain into a chilled old-fashioned glass filled with fresh ice.

  5. Top with club soda; as much as 2 ounces to taste.

  6. Twist a lemon peel over the glass and drop it into the drink. Serve and enjoy.

Tip

Top-shelf spirits will make a better cocktail. Choose a good rye whiskey and cognac that you enjoy straight and you'll set a nice foundation for this drink.

Recipe Variations

Most cocktail recipes that are this old have more than a few variations. Here are some of the more popular options, which you can use to customize the drink to your personal taste:

  • Some recipes skip the whiskey, opting for cognac alone at the same 1-ounce pour.
  • Use 1/2 teaspoon of sugar instead of the simple syrup.
  • You can also go with tradition and pour gomme syrup instead.
  • Switch from orange curaçao to Grand Marnier.
  • Pour a little sparkling wine rather than the club soda.
  • Serve this drink up in a cocktail glass with or without ice.

How Strong Is a Morning Glory Cocktail?

If you're really going to drink the morning glory before noon, it's definitely going to wake you up! When made with 80-proof whiskey and brandy, this cocktail mixes up to 23 percent ABV (46 proof). That's totally normal for drinks of this style and vintage, though it's important to keep in mind that it's very potent.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
163 Calories
0g Fat
5g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 163
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 2mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 5g 2%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 8mg 39%
Calcium 16mg 1%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 11mg 0%
*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.)