Cocktails

London Special Cocktail

London Special Cocktail is an alcoholic cocktail. It leans citrus, bitter and herbal. Served in a Champagne Flute. Expect about 12.1% ABV and roughly 99 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamHow we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction

Cocktailalcoholic12.1% ABV3 ingredients

At a Glance

99 kcalCalories

12.1%ABV

2.4gSugar

4.1gCarbs

0.82Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition. Some ingredient data may be approximate.

These nutrition figures are approximate estimates for this recipe — actual values vary with your exact measures, brands and serving size.

On this page

How hard is it to make?

Moderatestirred drink

Why: 3 ingredients, stirred drink, requires bar spoon

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients

2 dashesorange peelGarnish
champagnelump sugarOther
to tastebittersModifier

How to Make It

Put a large twist of orange peel into champagne glass.
Add 1 lump sugar and 2 dashes bitters.Add
Fill with well-chilled champagne and stir.Stirred

How to Serve

Glass: Champagne Flute
Temperature: Chilled
Method: Stirred

Served Chilled

Taste profile

Primary flavours

Citrus Bitter Herbal

Supporting notes

Spicy AppleBubblesMineral

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

StrengthLight – Strong

BodyLight – Full

SweetnessDry – Sweet

AcidityFlat – Crisp

FruitinessEarthy – Fruity

BoldnessDelicate – Bold

Dry finish

What do these dimensions mean?

When to serve

AperitifSuggested from its bitter and herbal notes.
New Year's EveSuggested from its bubbles notes.

Occasion tags are inferred from drink style, serving format, flavour profile, food-pairing theme, recipe metadata, strict multi-signal supplemental rules, and cached for public page performance.

Food pairings

Charcuterie OlivesSalty Snacks

Food pairings are derived from the drink flavour signature, mapped to one dominant pairing theme, then limited to coherent public suggestions.

Diet & lifestyle

Compatible, based on the listed ingredients

Gluten-Free Vegan Vegetarian

May be limited

KetoLow-CarbLow-Sugar

Diet tags are ingredient-level and nutrition-estimate based. Product brands, preparation methods, quantities, and substitutions may change compatibility.

Alternatives to try

Choose an ingredient to see reviewed substitutions, or filter for a different preference.

Reviewed ingredient substitutions

Orange Peel2 dashes

Orange TwistGood swap

How much to use: Use a similar-sized twist.
What changes: An orange twist is usually a close substitute for orange peel.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Bittersto taste

Angostura BittersKnown variation

How much to use: Start with the recipe’s dash count and taste before adding more.
What changes: When a recipe says only “bitters,” Angostura is a common aromatic default, except in drinks built around another named bitters style.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Reviewed component substitutions are not guarantees that the replacement was tested in this exact recipe. Follow the reviewed adjustment note and taste before serving.

Preference filters use current ingredient, nutrition and diet evidence. They are not medical advice, and this database contract does not store user selections.

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Last updated June 18, 2026

Ingredients, measures and method are taken from the source recipe; roles and serving details are mapped from reviewed evidence.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a London Special Cocktail?: The London Special Cocktail is a cocktail made with 3 ingredients, traditionally served in a Champagne Flute. It has an ABV of approximately 12.1%. A standard serving contains approximately 99 calories.
What does a London Special Cocktail taste like?: London Special Cocktail has a flavour profile featuring Citrus, Bitter, Herbal, Spicy. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
What food goes well with a London Special Cocktail?: London Special Cocktail pairs well with Charcuterie, Olives, Salty Snacks. The pairing is based on complementary flavour profiles from the recipe's ingredients.
How strong is a London Special Cocktail?: The London Special Cocktail has an ABV of approximately 12.1%. That's approximately 0.82 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 99 kcal, 2.4g sugar, 4.1g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
When is a London Special Cocktail typically served?: London Special Cocktail is often suggested for Aperitif, New Year's Eve, based on its flavour profile and typical serve.
What drinks are similar to a London Special Cocktail?: If you enjoy London Special Cocktail, the "similar flavour profile" suggestions on this page point to cocktails that share its flavour character. Drinks with a matching spirit base and comparable body and acidity feel closest.
Can I make a London Special Cocktail at home?: Yes. The London Special Cocktail uses 3 ingredients, making it easy to prepare at home. You will need a Champagne Flute. Use quality spirits and fresh ingredients for the best result.
What do the sensory profile dimensions mean?: Sensory profile dimensions describe key flavour characteristics: Body (light to full), Dryness (sweet to bone dry), Acidity (flat to crisp), Fruitiness (subtle to prominent) and Boldness (delicate to bold). Each scale helps you compare cocktails at a glance and find ones with similar character.
How do I use sensory profiles to find cocktails I like?: Compare the Body, Acidity and Fruitiness of London Special Cocktail with other cocktails. If you enjoy this drink, look for others with a similar profile. Adjust one dimension at a time to discover new favourites while staying in your flavour comfort zone.