Ingredients
- 3/4 oz Gin
- 3/4 oz Vodka
- .5 oz Triple Sec
- .5 oz Lime Juice
- 5.5 oz Tonic Water
Instructions
Combine Ingredients:
- Pour the gin, vodka, triple sec, and lime juice into a collins glass filled with ice cubes.
Stir:
- Stir well to mix all the ingredients.
Add Tonic:
- Fill the glass with tonic water.
Garnish:
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
Serve:
- Serve immediately and enjoy your Classy Bitch Cocktail.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
The Classy Bitch doesn't have a grand, storied past. No one's quite sure who first mixed this particular combination, but it smells like a modern bar invention, perhaps from the late 20th century. It feels like something a bartender whipped up on the fly for a regular who wanted 'something different, but strong and easy'.
Think of it as the Gin and Tonic's more adventurous, slightly louder cousin. It's a long drink, built in the glass, and falls into the highball family. The double spirit base of gin and vodka sets it apart, giving it a broader appeal than a straight gin-forward drink. The triple sec adds that sweet orange note, pulling it away from simple citrus.
You'd order this one when you're out with friends and want something reliable that doesn't demand a lot of thought. It's a solid choice for a casual night out, a backyard BBQ, or when you're looking to serve something simple but effective at a party. It's not a sipper for quiet contemplation, but it gets the job done.
What it tastes like
First sip hits with a crisp, botanical edge from the gin, quickly followed by the clean bite of vodka. The lime juice provides a tart counterpoint to the sweet orange of the triple sec, creating a balanced citrus backbone. All of this gets carried by the fizzy, slightly bitter, slightly sweet tonic water, making it surprisingly refreshing for a drink with two spirits.
With 0.75 oz each of gin and vodka, plus the triple sec, this isn't a light sipper. You're looking at a drink that comes in around 8-9% ABV, depending on your spirits. That's roughly double the strength of a standard light beer, so treat it with respect. It goes down easy, but it's got a decent wallop.
The technique
Building a Classy Bitch is as simple as it gets. You'll need a tall collins glass. Fill it with ice, then pour in your gin, vodka, triple sec, and lime juice. Give it a good stir, just enough to chill and combine the spirits and citrus. Top it all off with tonic water. No fancy shaking required, just a straightforward build.
The key here is to stir those spirits and lime juice together before adding the tonic. This ensures a proper mix of the boozier elements and the citrus. If you just dump everything in and top with tonic, you risk the flavors not integrating properly. Fresh, cold tonic also makes a difference; flat tonic just makes a sad drink.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Gin
- Use
- A classic dry London gin works best here. Think Beefeater or Tanqueray.
- Skip
- Leave the intensely floral or barrel-aged gins for other drinks. They'll get lost or clash.
- Why
- Gin provides the crucial botanical notes and a crisp, dry edge that keeps the drink from becoming too sweet.
Tonic Water
- Use
- A good quality, fresh tonic makes a huge difference. Fever-Tree or Q Tonic are solid choices.
- Skip
- Don't use flat tonic or the cheapest stuff you can find. It's half the drink.
- Why
- Tonic water provides the effervescence, the characteristic bitter note, and rounds out the drink. It's the volume and the sparkle.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink.
Skinny Bitch
- Less sugar, same attitude.
- Swap out regular tonic water for diet tonic. You cut down on the sugar without losing the fizz or the bite of the spirits.
Fruity Bitch
- A sweeter, more vibrant twist.
- Muddle a few berries or a slice of peach in the glass before adding ice, or add a splash of raspberry or peach liqueur for a sweeter, fruitier take.
Spicy Bitch
- Turn up the heat.
- Add a thin slice of jalapeño to the glass and muddle it gently before building, or drop in a couple dashes of your favorite hot sauce. It gives it a real kick.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Use white rum or an extra shot of vodka. It changes the profile, but still works.
More gin will do the trick, or a light rum for a slightly different flavor.
Grand Marnier or Cointreau if you're feeling fancy, or a splash of simple syrup with an orange peel twist.
Any tall glass will do the job. A highball glass or even a pint glass works in a pinch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Classy Bitch?
A Classy Bitch contains gin, vodka, triple sec, lime juice, and is topped with tonic water.
Is a Classy Bitch strong?
Yes, it uses a full 1.5 ounces of spirits plus triple sec, so it has a decent kick. It's stronger than your average beer.
What kind of gin should I use for a Classy Bitch?
A standard dry London gin is your best bet. Think something like Beefeater or Tanqueray. You want something reliable, not too overpowering.
Can I make a Classy Bitch less sweet?
Absolutely. Use a drier tonic water, or reduce the triple sec a bit. You could also increase the lime juice for more tartness.
What's the best garnish for a Classy Bitch?
A simple lime wedge or wheel is the classic choice. It reinforces the citrus notes and looks clean.
Is this drink like a Gin and Tonic?
It shares the tonic, but the Classy Bitch has vodka and triple sec in the mix, giving it a broader, slightly sweeter, and more complex profile than a straight Gin and Tonic.
Can I make a big batch of Classy Bitch?
You can pre-batch the gin, vodka, triple sec, and lime juice. When you're ready to serve, pour the mix over ice in individual glasses and top with fresh tonic water.
Why is it called Classy Bitch?
The name likely comes from its combination of 'classy' spirits like gin and vodka with a bold, memorable name. It's a bit cheeky, just like the drink itself.
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