The Modern's Kina Cocktail Recipe

By
Maggie Hoffman
Maggie Hoffman is a contributing writer at Serious Eats.
Maggie Hoffman is a longtime food and drink expert whose recipes and cocktail-making tips can be found on her newsletters What to Drink and The Dinner Plan. She is the author of  The One-Bottle Cocktail and Batch Cocktails, both published by Ten Speed Press.
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Updated August 30, 2018
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Alice Gao

The classic Kina Cocktail called for Kina Lillet, which no longer exists. Instead of the sweeter and less-bitter modern Lillet Blanc, this modern version calls for Cocchi Americano, which has Chinchona bark for bitterness. A dash of dry sherry complements that bitterness and adds nutty richness and a golden hue. At The Modern, they use Citadelle Gin in this cocktail: "It's a really botanical gin with a subtle, delicate juniper character," says wine director Ehren Ashkenazi. Dolin Blanc vermouth is slightly sweeter and richer in texture than Dolin Dry vermouth.

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Recipe Details

The Modern's Kina Cocktail Recipe

Active 3 mins
Total 3 mins
Serves 1 serving

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 ounces gin
  • 1 1/2 ounces Dolin Blanc Vermouth
  • 1 1/2 ounces Cocchi Americano
  • Dash fino sherry
  • Garnish: Lemon twist

Directions

  1. Fill a mixing glass with ice. Add gin, vermouth, Cocchi Americano, and sherry. Stir until well chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass, garnish with lemon twist, and serve.

Special equipment

Mixing glass, cocktail strainer

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