Alaska Cocktail

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Table of Contents:

• How to Make the Cocktail
• History
• Ingredients
• Variations
• Our Variation
• Alaska Recipe

The Alaska gin cocktail is a fan favorite over here at A Bar Above, and it’s way overdue for us to make it with you!

It’s a super herbal drink due to only having two main ingredients, both with strong botanical notes: gin and yellow Chartreuse. But the Chartreuse makes it so refreshing and fun– and it’s actually one of Rob’s and my husband’s favorite drinks, so you’re in for a treat.

How to Make the Alaska Cocktail

Check out the video above as Chris demonstrates how to craft the Alaska cocktail, focusing on the balance between the bold botanical base of gin and the subtle sweetness of yellow Chartreuse.

You’ll often see a recipe calling for equal parts gin and Chartreuse (the “Savoy version”), but we don’t think that brings the best flavor profile to the cocktail. Instead, you’re getting Chris’ and Rob’s favorite recipe today– it’s pretty close to the original, which called for 3/4 ounce Chartreuse and only 1 dash orange bitters.

Simple as it is, it really packs a punch– no matter how you make it.

Plus, you get to meet Rob in today’s video and hear him rave about this drink… and get his expert tips on balancing it to perfection.

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History of the Alaska

The Alaska cocktail first appeared in print in the early 20th century, featured in Jacques Straub’s 1914 book Drinks. Despite its name, there’s no direct connection to the northern state— although it’s thought that the name might allude to the “chill” of its icy serving and its golden hue, reminiscent of Alaska’s famed gold rush.

It was later featured in the 1930 Savoy Cocktail Book as the equal-parts recipe I mentioned previously. Since then, this classic gin cocktail has had some popularity but is still been totally underrated in my opinion.

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Alaska Ingredients

This delicious drink is often erroneously referred to as a two-ingredient cocktail, but we can’t forget the ever-important dash of bitters needed to create a truly balanced cocktail! Still, it’s very simple with these three components:

• Gin: A juniper-forward London dry style of gin is traditional as of the 1930s, although the recipe originally to call for Old Tom gin, which is a little sweeter and slightly less dry. I suggest using your personal favorite, understanding that the flavor profile of the finished drink will change based on the herbal notes of the gin you use. For our recipe, as Rob said when curating our ingredient list, “The drier, the better.”
• Yellow Chartreuse: A lighter version of the more famous green Chartreuse, this herbal liqueur is also made by French monks and reenforces the herbaceous flavors of the gin– its anise flavor goes particularly well with dry gin. If you can’t find Chartreuse, try Heirloom genepy instead (our favorite substitute).
• Orange Bitters: Although it’s optional, we love a dash or two of bitters to add a citric note and balance out the other two ingredients. It really does bring the whole drink together. Note: We used our own citrus bitters that Rob & Chris made in our Bitters & Tinctures course.

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Alaska Variations

The Alaska cocktail’s simplicity invites creative reinterpretations while preserving its essence. We love the original recipe, of course, but cocktail rules are meant to be broken, right?

Here are a few variations that adjust the balance and bring new flavors:

• Modern Alaska: Incorporate a splash of dry vermouth, softening the herbal intensity and floral notes by adding a touch of dryness for a smoother finish. This will also make it a more classic Martini style drink (since it’s technically in the Martini family).
• Smoky Alaska: Substitute a portion of the gin with a smoky Scotch whisky or mezcal, layering in earthy, robust flavors without overpowering the Chartreuse. Or replace the gin completely like we did in the above video. The mezcal version is Rob’s favorite drink!
• Honey Alaska: Replace yellow Chartreuse with a honey liqueur, creating a sweeter, more approachable version while retaining herbal undertones. Or if you don’t want to lose the Chartreuse completely, split them and use both.

Photo by Yayo Davila via www.unsplash.com

Mezcal Alaska Recipe:

• 1.75 ounce Mezcal
• 0.25 ounce Lillet
• 0.5 ounce Yellow Chartreuse
• 3 dashes Orange Bitters

Directions: Stir in a mixing glass until thoroughly chilled and diluted. Strain into a coupe or Martini glass, and garnish with a lemon twist.

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Golden Simplicity: The Alaska Cocktail

The Alaska cocktail is seriously the perfect reminder that sometimes less is more. With its minimal but impactful ingredients, this drink balances bold botanical flavors with subtle sweetness. So whether you stick to the classic or explore a variations, this classic cocktail delivers a timeless, delicious experience.