Jitterbug
Ingrédients
- Gin 2 jiggers
- Vodka 1 jigger
- Grenadine 3 dashes
- Lime juice 1 shot
- Sugar Around rim put 1 pinch
- Sugar syrup 3 dashes
- Soda Water Fill to top with
Instructions
Wet glass, dip rim in sugar. Then add Ice. Then add everything else. It's that simple!
The Jitterbug is a lively, spirit-forward cocktail that combines gin and vodka with grenadine, lime juice, and sugar syrup, served with a sugared rim and topped with soda water. The dual-spirit base gives it a strength that its fruity, effervescent character conceals well. The sugar-rimmed glass adds a playful, candy-like sweetness to each sip.
History & Origins
The Jitterbug takes its name from the energetic American swing dance of the 1930s and 1940s, suggesting a fun, high-energy cocktail suited to festive occasions. Its combination of gin, vodka, and grenadine places it in the tradition of 20th-century American party cocktails, and its use of both spirits together reflects the eclectic experimentation of home bar culture. The exact origin is disputed.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Lime citrus and grenadine sweetness, with juniper from the gin and a clean vodka note. Palate: Bright and fruity — grenadine's pomegranate sweetness and lime's tartness are driven by the gin-vodka base, with soda water adding refreshing effervescence. Finish: Dry and citrusy, with a lingering grenadine sweetness and a clean spirit warmth.
Pro Tip
Moisten the rim with lime juice rather than water before dipping in sugar to add an extra citrus note that complements the drink's lime profile.
Embed on your site — CocktailFYI
Add the widget to any webpage using a script tag.
<div data-cocktailfyi="recipe" data-slug="jitterbug"></div>
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/cocktailfyi-embed@1/dist/embed.min.js" defer></script>Embed using a standard iframe — works in any CMS.
<iframe src="https://cocktailfyi.com/iframe/recipe/jitterbug/" width="100%" height="480" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" title="CocktailFYI recipe widget"></iframe>Paste the URL into WordPress, Medium, or any oEmbed-aware editor.
https://cocktailfyi.com/recipes/jitterbug/Add a badge linking back to CocktailFYI.
<a href="https://cocktailfyi.com/recipes/jitterbug/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
<img src="https://cocktailfyi.com/badge/site.svg" alt="CocktailFYI" height="20">
</a>
Use the CocktailFYI WordPress plugin shortcode.
[drinkfyi-recipe site="cocktailfyi" slug="jitterbug"]Use as a native HTML custom element in modern browsers.
<cocktailfyi-recipe slug="jitterbug" theme="light"></cocktailfyi-recipe>
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/cocktailfyi-embed@1/dist/embed.min.js" defer></script>Powered by CocktailFYI
Docs →