The Communist is a striking cocktail with a flavor as vivid as its name suggests. Combining gin’s refined dryness with the sweetness of cherry brandy and the brightness of orange and lemon, it creates a lively, almost rebellious mix of fruit and spirit. This drink feels fresh and spirited, evoking the energy of informal gatherings where ideas, laughter, and clinking glasses dance together.
✨ What Makes the Cocktail Unique?
The Communist is unique for its combination of citrus and cherry fruit elements balanced with the aromatic backbone of gin. It fits comfortably between a sour and a spritz, vibrant yet grounded, bright yet slightly herbal. With orange bitters adding complexity and cherry brandy deepening the color and flavor, it has both harmony and punch in a single glass.
📖 Recipe
Servings: 1
Time: Under 5 minutes
Difficulty: Refreshingly Simple
🍹 Ingredients
- 1.5 oz gin
- 1.25 oz fresh orange juice
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 0.75 oz cherry brandy
- 2 dashes orange bitters
- Orange twist or cherry for garnish
🥂 Preparation Steps
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake well until the mixture is cold and lively.
- Strain into a chilled coupe or small cocktail glass.
- Garnish with an orange twist or a cherry for a colorful finish.
🍊 Variations & Tips
- For a lighter twist, add a splash of soda and serve over ice as a spritz.
- Use homemade cherry liqueur or a high-quality cherry brandy for a richer, more authentic fruit character.
- Adjust lemon and orange juice amounts to taste; balance is key.
🌆 Perfect Setting
The Communist shines at lively gatherings or relaxed evenings among friends. It suits brunches, art openings, or after-work drinks that invite conversation and creativity. Its bright color and layered taste make it an eye-catcher and a conversation starter. Raise your glass to good company and good ideas. Na Zdorovie!
📜 A Cocktail with a Revolutionary Twist
The Communist cocktail traces its origins to early 20th-century Europe and appears in classic bar guides from the interwar period. It likely emerged during a time when political movements were stirring across the continent and cocktail culture was evolving into an art form of its own. The name may have been intended playfully, reflecting the drink’s bold red hue and its mingling of strong, spirited flavors.
Its first formal mention appeared in the 1930 Savoy Cocktail Book by Harry Craddock, which preserved hundreds of innovative recipes from the Golden Age of bartending. The Communist stood out for its balance of sharp citrus and deep cherry sweetness. Simple to make yet visually striking.
Over the years, its provocative name ensured it remained a talking point wherever it appeared. Though history may have separated politics from the bar, the Communist endures as an example of how cocktails mirror the world around them: colorful, complex, and full of character.
Image by Reese Lloyd.