Despite its provocative name, the Monkey Gland cocktail is a delicious and sophisticated gin-based drink that deserves a place in your cocktail repertoire. This classic cocktail combines gin, orange juice, grenadine, and absinthe to create a vibrant, citrus-forward drink with a complex flavor profile that reflects the experimental spirit of the 1920s.
Monkey Gland Cocktail Ingredients
The Monkey Gland requires just four key ingredients that work together to create its distinctive taste:
- 2 oz London Dry Gin
- 1 oz Fresh Orange Juice
- 1/2 oz Grenadine
- 1 dash Absinthe (or Pastis)
- Ice cubes
- Orange slice or orange peel for garnish
Step-by-Step Monkey Gland Mixing Guide
Creating the perfect Monkey Gland cocktail is straightforward with these instructions:
- Rinse a chilled coupe or martini glass with absinthe, swirling to coat the inside, then discard excess liquid
- Add gin, fresh orange juice, and grenadine to a cocktail shaker filled with ice
- Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until well chilled
- Double strain the mixture into your prepared glass
- Garnish with an orange slice or express orange peel oils over the drink
- Serve immediately while properly chilled
Alternative Ingredients and Substitutes
You can customize your Monkey Gland with these alternatives:
- Absinthe substitutes: Pastis, Bénédictine, or Pernod work well if absinthe is unavailable
- Gin variations: Plymouth gin or Old Tom gin provide different flavor profiles
- Grenadine options: Homemade grenadine offers superior flavor to commercial versions
- Orange juice alternatives: Blood orange juice adds color and complexity
- Glass rinse method: Some bartenders add absinthe directly to the shaker instead of rinsing the glass
What Makes the Monkey Gland Special
The Monkey Gland cocktail stands out for several reasons. The combination of botanical gin with sweet orange juice creates a perfect balance, while the grenadine adds both color and pomegranate sweetness. The absinthe provides a subtle anise note that elevates the drink from ordinary to extraordinary.
This cocktail represents the creativity and boldness of 1920s bartending culture. The drink requires precision in preparation – over-dilution can destroy the delicate balance between the fruity sweetness and herbal complexity.
Monkey Gland History and Creator
The Monkey Gland was created by Harry MacElhone in the 1920s at his famous Harry’s New York Bar in Paris, France. MacElhone was an influential American bartender who left the United States during Prohibition and established himself as one of Europe’s premier cocktail creators.
The cocktail’s shocking name derives from the work of Russian surgeon Dr. Serge Voronoff, who became notorious for grafting monkey testicle tissue onto human patients in attempts to increase longevity and virility. While Voronoff’s procedures were eventually debunked, the cocktail name captured the era’s fascination with experimental medicine.
MacElhone first published the recipe in his 1922 “Harry’s ABC of Mixing Cocktails” book, where he claimed credit for the invention. The drink gained popularity among expatriate Americans and European cocktail enthusiasts throughout the 1920s and 1930s.
Monkey Gland Taste Profile
The Monkey Gland offers a complex and balanced flavor experience. The gin provides a crisp, botanical foundation with juniper and citrus notes. Fresh orange juice contributes bright acidity and natural sweetness, while grenadine adds pomegranate depth and a beautiful pinkish-orange color.
The absinthe creates the drink’s most distinctive element – a subtle licorice aroma and herbal complexity that appears on the finish. The overall profile is citrus-forward with fruity sweetness, balanced by the gin’s dryness and the absinthe’s herbal intensity.
When properly made, the drink feels refreshing yet sophisticated, with each ingredient clearly identifiable but harmoniously blended.
Serving Suggestions for the Monkey Gland
The Monkey Gland works best served in a chilled coupe or martini glass, which concentrates the aromatics and showcases the drink’s attractive color. The cocktail should be served immediately after preparation while properly chilled.
This drink excels as an aperitif before dinner or during afternoon cocktail hour. The citrus content makes it particularly suitable for warm weather drinking, though it can be enjoyed year-round.
Consider serving the Monkey Gland at brunch gatherings as an alternative to mimosas, or include it in a vintage cocktail tasting featuring other 1920s classics like the Sidecar or Bee’s Knees.
Perfect Appetizers to Pair with the Monkey Gland
The Monkey Gland’s citrus and herbal notes pair beautifully with various appetizers:
- Seafood selections: Smoked salmon, oysters, or crab cakes complement the drink’s freshness
- Charcuterie boards: Cured meats, artisan cheeses, and olives enhance the cocktail’s complexity
- Citrus-forward dishes: Orange-glazed chicken skewers or citrus-marinated vegetables
- Light Mediterranean fare: Bruschetta with tomato and basil, or goat cheese crostini
- Spiced nuts: Rosemary almonds or orange-spiced pecans echo the drink’s botanical elements
- Fresh fruit platters: Berries and stone fruits complement the cocktail’s fruity character
Monkey Gland Alcohol Content (ABV)
A standard Monkey Gland cocktail contains approximately 15-17% alcohol by volume (ABV). This calculation assumes using 80-proof (40% ABV) gin as the base spirit, with the orange juice and grenadine diluting the overall alcohol content.
The relatively moderate alcohol content makes this cocktail suitable for afternoon drinking or as part of a multi-course cocktail experience. The drink’s refreshing nature can mask its alcohol strength, so pace consumption accordingly.
Nutritional Values of the Monkey Gland
A single Monkey Gland cocktail contains approximately:
- Calories: 180-200
- Carbohydrates: 12-15 grams
- Sugar: 10-12 grams (primarily from orange juice and grenadine)
- Protein: Less than 1 gram
- Fat: 0 grams
- Vitamin C: 15-20mg (from fresh orange juice)
Values are estimates based on standard recipes and may vary depending on specific brands and measurements used.
Final Thoughts on the Monkey Gland Cocktail
The Monkey Gland represents everything fascinating about classic cocktail culture – a perfect balance of flavors, historical intrigue, and bartending artistry. While its name may raise eyebrows, the drink itself deserves recognition as a well-crafted cocktail that showcases the harmonious relationship between gin, citrus, and absinthe.
This cocktail rewards careful preparation and quality ingredients. Fresh orange juice makes a significant difference, and the absinthe glass rinse technique creates the perfect aromatic introduction to each sip.
Whether you’re exploring prohibition-era cocktails or simply seeking a refreshing gin drink with character, the Monkey Gland offers a unique tasting experience that connects modern drinkers to the bold experimentation of 1920s Paris. Give this classic a try – you might be surprised by how much you enjoy this controversial creation from Harry MacElhone’s legendary bar.
