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Invented in Burma, at a British club called the Pegu Club, this tropically-tinged cocktail found its way into the Savoy Cocktail Book. It’s pleasantly tangy and fruit-forward. The ingredients come together in the glass, resulting in a savvy cocktail with gentle citrus notes. One sip and you’ll understand why it’s still a cocktail classic!

Pegu Club

I found the original drink quite tart, so dialed back on the lime juice and add a teaspoon of simple syrup. If you want the drink on the tangy side, feel free to skip the simple syrup.
Servings 1 cocktail
  • 2 ounces London dry gin
  • 3/4 ounces triple sec, preferably Pierre Ferrand Curaçao or Cointreau
  • 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon simple syrup, (optional)
  • 1 dash aromatic bitters
  • 1 dash orange bitters
  • Put the gin, triple sec, lime juice, simple syrup (if using), and both bitters, in a cocktail shaker. Fill two-thirds with ice, cover, and shake until well-chilled, about 15 seconds.
  • Strain into a chilled cocktail glass or coupe.

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16 comments

    • Beth Anderson

    This is easy and I have everything on hand! Can’t wait for apero time!

    • Judah

    Wasn’t planning on drinking today, but… I’ve got all the ingredients and it’s a rainy Monday in Oslo. So yes, I’ll be joining at 6 with drink in hand. À bientôt!

    • Kelly Red

    I actually had a Pegu IN Burma a year ago. They are delicious and I have all the ingredients on hand. I think I’ll go down memory lane tonight at Happy Hour.

    • Cynthia Jones

    Thank you – I enjoyed the Instagram live video – though I’m in Seattle and watched it later :-) We were married in Paris and you being there with these wonderful videos is just making our time so much more bearable. Thank you Thank you Mr. Lebovitz.

    • Robert Smythe

    As always, I enjoy and covet all the beautiful glasses and accessories you’ve discovered in various brocantes. Any chance, though, that your elegant shaker is available somewhere? It’s gorgeous, and I want one!

      • David
      David Lebovitz

      It’s a vintage one so not sure where you could find one like it. (It’s called a “Parisian” shaker.) You could search sites like Ebay or Etsy although be aware that vintage shakers may leak and I haven’t found anyone who can repair them if the seal isn’t tight. Happy hunting!

        • Robert Smythe

        Thank you for taking the time and consideration to answer!

    • Terry

    How delightful to catch your Instagram video (not live–but delightful nevertheless)! You are a breath of fresh air and I will totally try and tune in live at some point (I’m in Maryland)! Thank you for sharing your talent and kind perspective! My husband is going to make the drink tonight. P.S. I love your red coffee maker. Can you share the brand/model number? Thanks!

    • Alison Greco

    This was lovely and so refreshing on a cool spring day!

    • SRB

    Just made mine here in southern Virginia. Been a fan for years and so enjoy watching you on IG live!

    • liz

    Yum!

    • Susan

    Perfection. I made with a locally made gin and fresh lime from San Diego.

    • Ken

    5:00 pm in Toronto, very nice drink. I’ll be saving this one for summer time!

    • Katrina

    When you say “aromatic bitters” what do you mean? Just a nice smelling one?

      • David
      David Lebovitz

      Aromatic bitters is a broad style of bitters. The most well-known (and easiest to find for many) is Angostura aromatic bitters, and another is Peychaud’s aromatic. (But there are other brands that make “aromatic” bitters, too.) I haven’t seen any hard-and-fast definition of aromatic bitters but it’s a general style of bitters that’s a little spicy, without having one dominant flavor like, say, cinnamon bitters, orange bitters, or cardamom bitters.

    • Jaimie

    How fun to stumble across this after just having read A Hundred Suns by Karin Tanabe. I recommend the book and can now enjoy the “adult orange juice” one of the characters drinks. Marvelous.

A

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