Rooie Annie cocktail (with or without alcohol)

Ingredients

• 100 ml per personcassis
• 100 ml per personbitter lemon
• 1 large block per glassice
• 1 shot per glass, optionalgin or vodka

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the ice

   Make large ice blocks in an ice mould ahead of time. Larger blocks melt more slowly, so they dilute the drink less.

2. 2

   Add the ice

   Place one large ice block in a generous highball glass.

3. 3

   Add optional spirits

   For the alcoholic version, add one shot of gin or vodka to the glass. Gin gives a fruity, botanical note; vodka keeps the flavour cleaner.

4. 4

   Pour in cassis

   Fill the glass halfway with cassis.

5. 5

   Top with bitter lemon

   Add bitter lemon until the glass is full.

6. 6

   Stir and serve

   Stir gently and briefly with a cocktail spoon, using just a few movements to combine the flavours without losing too much fizz. Serve immediately.

What is a Rooie Annie?

Rooie Annie is a Dutch mixed drink named for its vivid red colour. It combines cassis, a blackcurrant liqueur, with bitter lemon, a carbonated citrus mixer.

This version keeps the preparation simple: build it directly in a glass over a large ice block, then stir briefly. A shot of gin or vodka is optional, so the same drink can be served with or without spirits.

Nutrition and macros by portion

The nutrition label shows one serving as written: 255 calories, 0g protein, 39g carbs, 0g fat.

Most of the drink’s carbohydrate and sugar comes from the cassis and bitter lemon; the optional gin or vodka adds alcohol but little carbohydrate. Serve it alongside savoury food and water for a more balanced occasion.

Choosing the ingredients

Cassis: This blackcurrant liqueur gives the drink its colour and sweet, fruity base. Pour it carefully to make the halfway fill easy to judge.

Bitter lemon: Its citrus bitterness and bubbles balance the cassis. Chill it beforehand if you want the drink cold without relying on extra ice.

Gin or vodka: Either spirit can be added as a shot per glass, or left out. Gin brings more botanical character, while vodka has a more neutral taste.

Why use a large ice block?

Large ice melts more slowly than several small cubes, helping the drink stay less diluted as you serve it. Make the blocks ahead of time so they are ready when you assemble the glasses.

Use one block per glass, as directed, and choose a glass roomy enough for the ice and both drinks.

Pouring and stirring

Cassis first: Fill the glass halfway with the liqueur, then top it up with bitter lemon. This order makes it straightforward to judge the proportions.

Gentle stir: Use only a few calm turns of a cocktail spoon. Vigorous stirring knocks the fizz out of the bitter lemon.

Serving it at its best

Serve the cocktail straight after stirring, while the bitter lemon is still lively and the ice has not had much time to melt.

It is suitable as a simple aperitif or party drink. If serving a mixture of alcoholic and alcohol-free glasses, make the spirit-free ones first and keep them clearly distinguishable.

What to serve alongside

The drink is sweet, fruity and fizzy, so pair it with savoury nibbles such as salted nuts, crisps or small cheese bites. These offer a contrast without requiring a complicated spread.

For a fuller meal, serve it alongside a savoury Dutch-style snack or a light buffet, and offer water as well.

Recipe notes & tips

• Chill the cassis and bitter lemon before assembling the drinks.
• Make the ice blocks ahead so you can serve the cocktails promptly.
• Use a generous highball glass to leave room for the ice and mixer.
• Measure one shot per glass if adding gin or vodka.
• Stir only briefly to preserve the bitter lemon’s fizz.

Variations

• Gin version: Add one shot of gin per glass for a more botanical flavour.
• Vodka version: Add one shot of vodka per glass for a cleaner-tasting alcoholic drink.
• Alcohol-free: Leave out the spirit and use the cassis, bitter lemon and ice as directed.
• Less sweet: Use a little less cassis and top up with more bitter lemon.
• Party pitcher: Multiply the quantities for your group, but add the bitter lemon just before serving to retain its fizz.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Small ice cubes: They melt quickly and dilute the drink; use one large block per glass.
• Over-stirring: The bitter lemon loses its bubbles; make only a few gentle turns.
• Filling with cassis alone: The drink becomes much sweeter; fill halfway with cassis, then top up with bitter lemon.
• Adding the mixer too early: It can go flat before serving; pour it in just before the final stir.
• Forgetting to specify the spirit: Gin or vodka is optional; ask guests or label glasses so everyone knows which version they have.

How to store

This drink is best made and served immediately, as the ice melts and the bitter lemon loses its fizz over time. Do not store an assembled cocktail; keep the ingredients chilled and mix each glass when needed.

Frequently asked questions