Captivating and strong, the Greta Garbo cocktail is a perfectly fitting tribute to its legendary namesake. This wonderfully balanced drink is basically a daiquiri, but one that has been glamorously enhanced. Maraschino liqueur adds a splash of nuanced sweetness and absinthe lends a touch of mystery. Like Greta herself, this unique combination of flavors results in one elegant, enigmatic, and unforgettable cocktail.
If you like daiquiri style cocktails, you may also enjoy the Hemingway Daiquiri.
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Ingredients for a Greta Garbo Cocktail
- white rum
- maraschino liqueur
- absinthe
- fresh lime juice
- rich simple syrup
- star anise (to garnish)
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions for a Greta Garbo Cocktail
Begin by adding the rum to a cocktail shaker.
Add the maraschino liqueur.
Add the absinthe.
Then add the lime juice.
Finally, add the rich simple syrup.
Toss in plenty of ice, and then shake until well chilled, about 30 seconds.
Strain into a coupe glass.
Garnish with star anise and serve immediately.
Hint: If you are interested in serving this cocktail for a crowd, you can easily combine all of the ingredients in a large pitcher in advance. And then all you have to do when your guests arrive is to pour about 4 ounces per drink into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake!
Variations
Another version of the Greta Garbo cocktail appears in the 1930 Manuel Oficial de la Club de Cantineros del la Republic de Cuba (the Manual of the Cuban Bartenders’ Club), and it does not contain any maraschino liqueur. In other words, it's basically a daiquiri with a touch of absinthe. The flavor profile is a bit less nuanced without the maraschino, and perhaps a bit more tart, but it's also delicious. If you're interested in giving the maraschino-free version a whirl, here are the proportions I suggest...
2 ounces white rum
3 drops absinthe
¾ ounces fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
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📖 Recipe
Greta Garbo Cocktail
Equipment
- cocktail shaker
Ingredients
- 2 ounces white rum
- ¼ ounce maraschino liqueur
- 1 teaspoon absinthe
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- ½ ounce rich simple syrup (2:1 ratio of sugar to water)
- star anise (to garnish)
Instructions
- Combine everything (except star anise) in a shaker along with plenty of ice.
- Shake until well-chilled, about 30 seconds.
- Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with star anise.
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