Red Lion

Some classic cocktails have become a mainstay in today's cocktail culture more than others. Take, for example, the Negroni, Manhattan, and Old Fashioned, which all date back to the 19th or early 20th century and are now featured on cocktail menus worldwide. Though not widely known, the Red Lion was the first-place winner in a 1933 cocktail competition in London and has remained among many classic cocktail tomes. It's sour, herbal, and bittersweet with a simple ingredient list.

Frequently asked questions

What does Grand Marnier taste like?

Grand Marnier is sweet but balanced, with rich notes of candied orange, toffee, caramel, hazelnut, marmalade, fresh orange zest, and of course, Cognac.

How should you store Grand Marnier?

Once you've made the Red Lion, you'll want to store your Grand Marnier properly to use for months to come. "Make sure your liqueurs are closed properly and tightly, and in general, you’ll want to keep them in a cool, dry place," writes Food & Wine contributor Céline Bossart. "When stored properly, unopened bottles of liqueur should not go bad, but an open bottle can stay drinkable for three to six months, depending on its ingredients. Also, if you want to prevent the cap or cork of a liqueur bottle from getting sticky or stuck in place, be sure to wipe the mouth of the bottle down with a warm, wet cloth — along with the inside of the screw cap or exterior of the stopper before closing it."

What is the best gin to use for this cocktail?

To make The Lion, we recommend using a dry gin, which plays well with the orange juice, lemon juice, and Grand Marnier in this cocktail. Not sure where to start, or in need of a new gin to add to your home bar? Here's a guide to the best gins for every kind of cocktail.

Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen

If you don't have lemon juice handy, you can substitute in an extra ounce of orange juice for a slightly sweeter take on this cocktail. Be sure to only use freshly squeezed juice instead of the bottled stuff, though!