The other day we came across the Army Navy Cocktail for the first time and could not believe we had not heard of the drink sooner. In doing a bit of research we found that its origins are vague and from recipe to recipe there are several debates over measures in making the drink properly. The Army Navy is a sour of sorts and one that you can make your own by tinkering with the ingredients. Speaking of ingredients, the outcome of this cocktail is directly related to their selection. One of the key players in the mix is Orgeat syrup and the sweetness and quality varies wildly from brand to brand (for store bought we recommend Fee Bros.). Orgeat is a cocktail syrup made from ground almonds and sugar then accented with a bit of orange flower or rose flower water. For the ambitious we offer you our recipe for home-made Orgeat. The original Army Navy calls for London Dry Gin and while that is our preference, different gins can offer a variety of pleasant outcomes. Whatever you choose to do we suggest you start with the recipe below and then dial it in to taste with your own touches. Cheers!
Army Navy Cocktail
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice add:
- 2 Ounces London Dry Gin
- 3/4 Ounce Fresh Squeezed Lemon juice
- 1/2 Ounce Orgeat Syrup (adjust to taste)
- 2 Dashes Angostura Bitters
Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail saucer. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Home-Made Orgeat Syrup
(makes appx 6 ounces)
Take one cup of unsalted blanched almonds and place them on a baking sheet. Put in a 200 degree oven for 5 to 10 minutes to release the essential oils (careful not to burn).
In a medium saucepan; Bring 1 ½ cups of water & 1 Cup of White Sugar to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer.
Add:
- 1/4 Teaspoon Orange Flower Water
- The Toasted Almonds
Shut heat off, cover and let steep till completely cool. Put everything into a blender or food processor and puree until as fine as possible. Strain through a fine sieve or cheesecloth pressing out all the moisture from the nuts. The straining is slow going so be patient, every drop of Orgeat is worth it! The final Orgeat will be light tan with a milky consistency.
Store refrigerated in a bottle (will keep 7-10 days)
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