Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin is famous for its 47 botanicals, bright juniper, forest-herbal notes, and citrus lift—so it shines in both classics and modern builds. Below are ten bartender-approved cocktails (with exact specs) that let Monkey 47’s character pop.
1) Monkey 47 & Tonic (G&T)
Why it works: The gin’s citrus and piney herbs love a clean, dry tonic.
Build: 2 oz Monkey 47, 4–6 oz chilled tonic water, tall glass over large ice.
Garnish: Grapefruit peel + a sprig of rosemary (or a couple blackberries).
Tip: Keep bubbles crisp—add tonic last and don’t stir more than once.
2) Negroni
Build: 1 oz Monkey 47, 1 oz Campari, 1 oz sweet vermouth. Stir with ice; rocks glass, big cube.
Garnish: Expressed orange peel.
Why Monkey 47: The woodland botanicals add depth to Campari’s bitterness.
3) Dry Martini
Build: 2.25 oz Monkey 47, 0.75 oz dry vermouth. Stir cold; coupe or Nick & Nora.
Garnish: Lemon twist (or 2 olives).
Dial-in: Try 50/50 (1.5 oz gin + 1.5 oz vermouth) if you like it silkier.
4) French 75
Build: Shake 1 oz Monkey 47 + 0.5 oz lemon + 0.5 oz simple syrup with ice. Strain into flute; top 3 oz dry Champagne.
Garnish: Long lemon twist.
Why: Citrus and bubbles frame the gin’s floral notes.
5) Gimlet
Build: 2 oz Monkey 47, 0.75 oz fresh lime, 0.5 oz simple syrup. Shake; coupe.
Garnish: Lime wheel.
Variation: Swap simple for honey syrup (see Bee’s Knees below) for a rounder edge.
6) Tom Collins
Build: Shake 2 oz Monkey 47 + 0.75 oz lemon + 0.5 oz simple. Collins glass with ice; top soda.
Garnish: Lemon wheel + cherry.
Pro move: Pre-chill the glass so the soda stays spritzy.
7) Bramble
Build: Shake 1.5 oz Monkey 47 + 0.75 oz lemon + 0.5 oz simple. Strain over crushed ice; float 0.5 oz crème de mûre.
Garnish: Blackberry + lemon wedge.
Why: Berry notes echo the gin’s forest fruit vibe.
8) Southside
Build: In shaker, gently muddle 6–8 mint leaves with 0.5 oz simple. Add 2 oz Monkey 47 + 0.75 oz lime; shake; fine strain; coupe.
Garnish: Mint crown.
Style: Mojito energy, gin sophistication.
9) Bee’s Knees
Build: 2 oz Monkey 47, 0.75 oz lemon, 0.75 oz honey syrup (1:1 honey:water). Shake; coupe.
Garnish: Lemon peel.
Why: Honey softens the gin’s spice and lifts citrus.
10) Aviation
Build: 2 oz Monkey 47, 0.75 oz lemon, 0.25 oz maraschino liqueur, 0.25 oz crème de violette (optional). Shake; coupe.
Garnish: Brandied cherry.
Note: Keep violette light so the botanicals stay in focus.
Quick Tips for Working with Monkey 47
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Ice matters: Bigger, colder ice keeps dilution clean and highlights botanicals.
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Citrus pairings: Lemon and grapefruit are best friends; orange is great for stirred drinks.
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Herb accents: Rosemary, thyme, and mint amplify the Black Forest character.
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Tonic choice: A dry “Indian” tonic or light Mediterranean style keeps sweetness in check.
