Skip to content
Spirlix
All cocktails Fairbanks No.2

Log in to see whether your bar can pour this

Fairbanks No.2

Aperitivo/aperitif · Martini-style · Spirit-forward

4.1 8 ratings

Ingredients

2 oz Gin
2/3 oz Dry vermouth
1/6 oz Crème de noyau
2 dash Orange bitters

How to make

Serve in a coupe glass

Prepare

  1. 1 Select and pre-chill a COUPE GLASS.
  2. 2 Prepare garnish of orange zest twist and Luxardo Maraschino Cherry.

Method

  1. 3 SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
  2. 4 FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

  1. 5 EXPRESS orange zest twist over cocktail and discard.
  2. 6 Garnish with maraschino cherry.

Flavour profile

25.8% alc./vol. · 1.7 standard drinks · 168 calories

History

Original Savoy and Vermeire recipes specify 2 dashes of crème de noyeaux. A generous 5ml / 1/6oz measure adds pink hue and fruity almond notes to this Dry Martini-style cocktail.

This drink's name honors Douglas Fairbanks Sr., whose charisma Harry Craddock references in his 1930 publication, *The Savoy Cocktail Book*. There, Craddock notes, "We often wondered what Doug did it on. Now we know we are going to try and do it ourselves." An earlier source, Robert Vermeire's 1922 *Cocktails: How to Mix Them*, offers a different account, stating, "This drink is named after Senator Fairbank, a personal friend of the late President Roosevelt, of America." Vermeire's recipe also deviates from the Savoy's by calling for equal parts gin and vermouth; for this rendition, 45ml / 1.5oz of each is suggested. "Fairbank Cocktail. Fill the bar glass half full of broken ice and add: 2 dashes Noyau Rose. 2 dashes of Orange Bitters. ¼ gill of Gin. ¼ gill of French Vermouth. Stir up well, strain into a cocktail glass, and squeeze orange-peel on top. This drink is called after Senator Fairbank, a personal friend of the late President Roosevelt, of America." "FAIRBANKS COCKTAIL. (No.2) 2 Dashes Crème de Noyau. 2 Dashes Orange Bitters. 1/3 French Vermouth. 2/3 Dry Gin. Shake well and strain into cocktail glass, with a cherry."