The Pegu Club: A Gin-Based Tropical Escape

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The Pegu Club is a gin-based cocktail that transports you to the exotic days of British colonial Burma. Named after the Pegu River, this refreshing drink was the signature libation of the Pegu Club—a social hub for senior government officials, military personnel, and prominent businessmen in Rangoon (now Yangon), Myanmar.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces gin
• 3/4 ounce dry curaçao
• 3/4 ounce lime juice
• 1 dash angostura bitters
• 1 dash orange bitters
• Garnish with a lime peel

Directions

• Shake the ingredients together in a mixer with cubed ice.
• Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
• Garnish with a twist of grapefruit peel or a slice of fresh grapefruit.
• Optionally serve with a slice of lime to complement the lime juice.

Origins

The Pegu Club cocktail first appeared in 1923 in "Harry" of Ciro's ABC of Mixing Cocktails. The original recipe used preserved lime juice instead of fresh, but later versions omitted the brand name "Rose's" when specifying lime juice, leading to ambiguity about when bartenders began using fresh lime juice⁴⁵.

Revival and Legacy

In the early 2000s, bartender Audrey Saunders revived the Pegu Club cocktail by opening a bar of the same name in New York City. The Pegu Club became influential in the cocktail renaissance, but unfortunately, it closed in 2020 due to pandemic-related restrictions . Nevertheless, this nearly forgotten gem continues to delight cocktail enthusiasts around the world.

Gin Recommendations

The Pegu Club pairs beautifully with a wide array of gins. Consider trying it with:

• Pink peppercorn gin for a spicy, warming twist.
• Bright, floral contemporary style gin like Harahorn Gin, Black Button's Loganberry Gin, or Sator Square's American Dry.

So raise your glass to adventure, camaraderie, and the timeless allure of the Pegu Club! 🍹🌴🌟