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    Home » Recipes » Cocktails » Leap Year Cocktail – a Citrusy Gin Martini

    LAST UPDATED: June 13, 2020 • FIRST PUBLISHED: February 26, 2020 By Toni Dash 47 Comments

    Leap Year Cocktail – a Citrusy Gin Martini

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Leap Year cocktail in a cocktail glass with lemon spiral

    Don’t wait four years to try this citrusy gin martini Leap Year Cocktail. Any cocktail responsible for ‘more marriage proposals than any other cocktail‘ has to be tried at least once!
    Leap Year cocktail in a cocktail glass with lemon spiral

    Once every four years Leap Year pops up with little fanfare for the rare February 29th.

    There are several traditions, superstitions and beliefs about this extra day.
    AND it turns out, a celebratory Leap Year cocktail!

    This boozy gin sipper can be enjoyed anytime AND is supposedly responsible for numerous marriage proposals!

    I am always interested in food customs surrounding holidays of all kinds.

    Leap Year is not technically a holiday but frankly anything that only happens every four years must have some honorary ‘cousin of a holiday’ status at a minimum.

    How did the Leap Year Tradition start?

    The origins of Leap Year date back to ancient Egypt when it was discovered the solar and man made calendars did not line up.

    The Romans instituted February 29 as a leap day.

    Though that was fine tuned in the 16th century with the Gregorian calendar to be more formulaic establishing it every 4 years.

    Why is it Called ‘Leap Year’?

    The reason it is called Leap Year has to do historically with English law not recognizing it as a legal day for business.

    Therefore it is ‘leapt over’ with business transactions to occur on February 28 or March 1.

    citrus gin martini for leap year

    Leap Year Food and Drink

    My first point of interest is always what the food customs are of a holiday.

    In all my research I found there are definitely some social customs but really no special food for Leap Year.

    There is however a special cocktail shared below.

    Social Customs & Superstitions

    In the British Isles it is like a matrimonial Sadie Hawkins day where women are ‘allowed’ to ask men to marry them.

    Scotland 

    In Scotland, Queen Margaret instituted a fine for any man declining such a proposal by a woman.

    A kiss, pair of gloves or a silk dress (I also read there may have been a large ‘punishment’).

    I read something bleak about how it was a coveted day for women concerned they’d be ‘left on the shelf’; ug.

    In Scotland it’s also considered bad luck for a child to be born on February 29. 

    Apparently they feel the same about Leap Year and livestock.

    The Scottish proverb “Leap year was ne’er a good sheep year” says it all.

    Greece 

    Supposedly in Greece it is seen to be bad luck to have a wedding in a Leap Year.

    Italy 

    In Italy Leap Year superstition cautions not planning special activities or weddings.

    With proverbs stating leap year is a ‘doom year’ (translated) claiming in the leap year women are ‘erratic’.

    two Leap Year cocktails in martini glasses with lemon

    February 19th Birthday Club

    If you were fortunate to be born on February 29th you’ll want to join the Honor Society of Leap Year Babies.

    Leap baby Raenell Dawn started a birthday club that now has over 11,000 online members.

    You’ll find loads of information and activities on the website along with Raenell’s chronicling of her Leap Birthdays.

    Leap Year Cocktail 

    Despite not uncovering any food customs, I did find a cocktail.

    It originates back to Harry Craddock who was the bartender at the famous Savoy Hotel in London.

    He is said to have developed this cocktail for a Leap Year celebration in 1928.

    “It is said to have been responsible for more proposals than any other cocktail that has ever been mixed” – The Savoy Cocktail Book

    leap year cocktail overhead

    Gin Martini Cocktail ingredients

    • Gin
    • Grand Marnier (orange liqueur)
    • Sweet Vermouth
    • Lemon Juice

    Use Fresh Lemon Juice

    The flavor of fresh lemon juice IS different than bottled lemon juice. 

    It’s worth a few minutes to squeeze half a lemon for the ‘dash’ needed.

    I use a hand held lemon juicer typically though for the amount needed hand squeezing will work too.

    Perfect Cocktail Garnish: Lemon Spirals

    The original cocktail recipe calls for a squeeze of lemon peel on top of the cocktail.

    My favorite cocktail garnish, both for looks and for that squeeze are Lemon Spirals.

    They are easy to make, always pack a visual punch and are perfect to squeeze.

    leap year cocktail overhead with lemon spiral

    More Cocktail Recipes You’ll Love

    • Pomegranate Martinis
    • Manhattan cocktail
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    • Peruvian Pisco Sour Recipe
    • Moscato Sangria
    • Glogg – Scandanavian Mulled Wine

    Try these Holiday Recipes too!

    • Chocolate Truffles with Irish Cream Filling
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    Did you make it? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

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    Leap Year Cocktail, History, Traditions and Superstitions! boulderlocavore.com

    Leap Year cocktail

    One should approach this cocktail slowly like a large, stealthy wild cat stalking the only prey it’s seen for weeks.  Pounce too quickly and you’ll be sorry.  Think of this as a brightly flavored martini, not to be taken lightly; lest you be knocked out until the Leap Year!  It’s very tasty….and forte!
    5 from 20 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Cocktail
    Cuisine: British
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 1 cocktail
    Calories: 188kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 2 ounces Gin
    • ½ ounce Grand Marnier
    • ½ ounce Sweet Vermouth
    • ¼ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
    • Garnish:  Lemon spiral

    Instructions

    • Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. 
    • Shake, and pour into a chilled cocktail glass.

    Notes

    Adapted from Harry Craddock's 'The Savoy Cocktail Book'.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 188kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin C: 3mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!

    This citrusy Gin Martini is perfect to celebrate February 29th or any other day!

    Originally published: February 29, 2012

    « Chocolate Truffles with Irish Cream Filling
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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sam says

      March 02, 2020 at 2:18 pm

      5 stars
      What a fun cocktail recipe. So delicious and easy to make.

      Reply
    2. wilhelmina says

      February 28, 2020 at 7:14 am

      5 stars
      I loved reading all of these leap year facts, so many things I had never heard before! I also love this seriously cool cocktail, perfection!

      Reply
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    About Toni Dash

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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

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