The Dorchester cocktail is a refreshingly complex gin drink with a touch of grapefruit that’s sure to become your new poolside obsession.

Looking for a delicious cocktail?

If you’re a fan of the bright flavors in a last word cocktail, the Dorchester is a must-try. It swaps the green Chartreuse for grapefruit juice, making for a lighter and more refreshing summer cocktail.

Gin is one of our favorite liquor bases for cocktails because you can pair it with pretty much anything. Whether making a zippy southside cocktail or a timeless dry martini, gin is the ultimate base for a classic cocktail. Now, we’re moving on to the Dorchester Cocktail. It’s still got that gin base and a touch of sweetness from the maraschino liqueur, but the grapefruit adds a tangy twist that’s perfect for a hot day. It’s like a boozy, grown-up glass of sunshine!

Watch 🎥: How to Make the Best Dorchester Cocktail Recipe

What Is a Dorchester Cocktail?

The Dorchester cocktail isn’t exactly a dusty relic from some bygone era. Unlike its cousin, the Last Word, whose origins are a little murky, we can actually trace the Dorchester back to a familiar friend – Erik Adkins!

Adkins, a well-respected bar director, created this beauty in 2021 while working at the Slanted Door in San Francisco (say hi to fresh seafood and killer cocktails!). So, while it might not have the rich history of some classic cocktails, the Dorchester is a modern invention gaining traction in the mixology world.

There’s a reason for its rise to fame, though. It riffs on the Last Word, a beloved gin-based cocktail, but swaps out the strong, herbal Chartreuse for grapefruit juice. This gives the Dorchester a lighter, brighter, and more citrusy profile – perfect for those seeking a refreshing summer drink.

What you’ll love about this recipe:

BRIGHT & REFRESHING: If you’re craving a summery twist on a classic gin cocktail, the Dorchester is your drink. The grapefruit juice adds a tangy citrus kick perfect for beating the heat, making it a wonderfully refreshing poolside companion.
BALANCED & COMPLEX: Don’t be fooled by its short ingredient list. The Dorchester packs a flavorful punch. The sweet and tart notes from the maraschino liqueur, lime juice, and grapefruit juice are beautifully balanced by the botanical complexity of gin, creating a surprisingly delightful and well-rounded summer sipper.

What You Need to Make a Dorchester Cocktail

Gin: This is the base of the drink, and its botanicals (juniper berries, herbs, and spices) bring a light, almost floral aroma and flavor. Gin’s dryness helps cut through the sweetness of other ingredients.
Maraschino cherry liqueur: A touch of this sweet cherry liqueur adds a hint of cherry flavor and a bit of depth to the drink.
Lime juice: This citrusy juice provides a tart and refreshing counterpoint to the sweetness of the maraschino liqueur and simple syrup.
Grapefruit juice: Adds a tangy, citrusy flavor perfect for a summer drink. It’s lighter and brighter than the green Chartreuse used in the Last Word cocktail, making the Dorchester a more refreshing option.
Simple syrup: A little bit of simple syrup sweetens the drink and balances out the tartness of the lime and grapefruit juices.
Dehydrated grapefruit slice (garnish): This is purely for looks! It adds a decorative touch and reinforces the grapefruit theme of the drink.

How to Make a Dorchester Cocktail

Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker.
Fill the shaker with ice and shake until chilled.
Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with a dehydrated grapefruit slice.

Expert Recipe Tips

Make sure to shake your Dorchester with plenty of ice to get it nice and frosty. Pre-chill your cocktail shaker and glasses, too, for an extra touch of coldness.
Want to add a little extra oomph to your garnish? Instead of just a plain dehydrated grapefruit slice, express (twist) a fresh grapefruit peel over your drink before dropping it in. This releases the fragrant citrus oils, adding another layer of delightful aroma to your Dorchester.
Don’t have simple syrup on hand? No worries! You can easily make your own sugar syrup by simmering equal parts sugar and water until the sugar dissolves. Just let it cool completely before using it in your cocktail.

How to serve this Dorchester Drink

Serve your Dorchester cocktail ice cold in a chilled coupe glass or martini glass, preferably on a sweltering hot day when the AC isn’t enough to beat the humidity.

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The Dorchester is here to remind you that summer cocktails can be sophisticated, easy, and, most importantly, capable of keeping you cool as a cucumber. If you try this recipe, please rate the recipe card and leave a comment down below to help out the next reader!

Prep Time:5

Total Time:5

Equipment

cocktail shaker
fine mesh strainer
Stirring spoon
alcohol measuring cup

Ingredients

2 oz gin
½ oz maraschino liqueur
¾ oz lime juice
¾ oz grapefruit juice
1 oz simple syrup
Dehydrated grapefruit slice for garnish

Instructions

Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker.
Fill the shaker with ice and shake until chilled.
Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with a dehydrated grapefruit slice.

Video

Servings: 1

Calories: 259kcal

Recipe FAQs

The alcohol content of a Dorchester will vary slightly depending on the specific brands of gin and maraschino liqueur you use, but it’s generally considered a medium-strength drink.

No worries! You can still whip up a decent Dorchester in a pinch. Combine all the ingredients (except the garnish) in a mason jar with ice, secure the lid tightly, and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Strain into your chilled coupe glass and enjoy!

Dehydrated grapefruit slices can be found online or at some specialty grocery stores. But hey, if you’re feeling crafty, you can make your own by thinly slicing grapefruits and dehydrating them in your oven at its lowest setting for several hours.

We recommend using a dry gin to combat the sweetness of the maraschino cherry liqueur and the simple syrup.

Dorchester Cocktail