Fog Cutter

By Thrillist

Published on 8/3/2016 at 1:10 PM

Fog Cutter

The Fog Cutter is a classic tiki cocktail popularized by the legendary Trader Vic—though it is occasionally credited to the other father of tiki, Don the Beachcomber. A heavy-set cocktail with a base of rum, gin and brandy, it is surprisingly sippable. Orange and lemon juices lend the drink a citrusy vibrancy, while orgeat and a sherry float round the drink out with a mellow nuttiness. Though it is traditionally served in a Fog Cutter mug, any tiki mug will do as long as it’s garnished extravagantly and drunk from jubilantly. But do be cautious about how many of these you consume. As Trader Vic commented in his Bartender’s Guide (1972), “Fog Cutter, hell. After two of these, you won’t even see the stuff.”

Fog Cutter

FLAVOR PROFILE
Sweet
STRENGTH
DIFFICULTY
intermediate

INGREDIENTS

  • 1.5 oz White Rum
  • 1 oz Gin
  • 1 oz Cognac
  • .75 oz Orange Juice
  • .75 oz Lemon Juice
  • .5 oz Orgeat
  • .5 oz Sherry
  • 2-3 dashes Apricot Bitters
  • Orange Wedge
  • Cherry Flag
  • Pineapple Spear
  • Cocktail Umbrella

INSTRUCTIONS

Step one

Add all of the ingredients except for the sherry and the garnishes to a shaker tin. Add ice and shake.

Step two

Strain into a Fog Cutter mug or other tiki mug.

Step three

Float the sherry on top of the drink, garnish excessively.

Contributed by Supercall

Mix It Up!

An already ingredient-packed cocktail, the Fog Cutter is made even better with the addition of apricot bitters, which complement the orgeat’s nutty flavor. Or, try shaking the sherry into the drink instead of floating it on top.