Mah-Jongg – 1927 Gin, Light Rum & Cointreau Cocktail

The Mah-Jongg is a three-ingredient classic built around an unusual split of gin and light rum, with Cointreau providing sweetness and orange character. Its 4:1:1 ratio keeps the gin firmly in charge while the rum adds subtle depth. Shaken cold and served up, this vintage gin cocktail is simple to make but distinct from more familiar classics.

A Cocktail from 1927

The Mah-Jongg was recorded in Harry McElhone's Barflies and Cocktails in 1927 and credited to bartender Willie Dale. Its name reflects the widespread popularity of mah-jongg during the era. The combination of gin, rum, and orange liqueur gives the drink an unusual split-spirit structure that still stands apart from many other cocktails of its period.

What You'll Need

Ingredients

• Gin - The main spirit and botanical backbone of the cocktail.
• Light Rum - Adds a clean sugarcane character without overpowering the gin.
• Cointreau - Supplies orange aroma, sweetness, and a clean citrus finish.

Useful substitutions: A crisp London Dry gin works especially well here. Another dry light or white rum can replace the light rum, while a quality triple sec or dry curaçao can stand in for Cointreau, though the flavor will change slightly.

Equipment

• Cocktail shaker
• Cocktail strainer
• Cocktail glass
• Ice

Why the 4:1:1 Ratio Matters

The Mah-Jongg works because the supporting ingredients stay firmly in supporting roles. Gin accounts for most of the drink, giving it a dry botanical core. Light rum adds a subtle second layer of spirit character, while Cointreau contributes just enough orange and sweetness to round the edges without turning the cocktail sugary.

Substitutions & Variations

• Use London Dry gin for a sharper juniper-led version.
• Try another light rum if your usual bottle has a clean, relatively dry profile.
• Swap Cointreau for dry curaçao for a slightly richer orange character.
• Add an expressed orange peel if you want a modern aromatic garnish, while keeping the historical-style recipe itself ungarnished.
• Keep the 4:1:1 structure when changing brands so the drink retains its intended balance.

Helpful Tips

• Chill the cocktail glass before mixing so the drink stays cold after straining.
• Use plenty of firm ice and shake until the outside of the shaker is thoroughly cold.
• Measure all three ingredients. With such a short ingredient list, small ratio changes are easy to taste.
• Serve immediately after straining for the cleanest texture and temperature.
• For a small gathering, pre-measure the spirits in the 4:1:1 ratio, refrigerate the batch, then shake individual servings with ice.