Gordon Ramsay, the British chef and restaurateur, is well-known not just for his culinary skills but also for his sharp tongue in the kitchen. Unsurprisingly, his go-to cocktail has a name that echoes his infamous banter from “Hell’s Kitchen.” During a 2016 episode of “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” Ramsay disclosed that his favorite tequila cocktail is humorously titled “Wake Up, You Donkey.”
Ramsay frequently refers to chefs as “donkeys” while critiquing their work on his shows. In a memorable 2018 moment from “Hell’s Kitchen,” he remarked on two chefs’ performance by saying they were “cooking like donkeys,” contemplating a name change for the restaurant to “Donkey’s Kitchen” (via YouTube). He often exclaims “You donkey!” to emphasize his frustration, and he equally enjoys reminding his staff to “Wake up!”.
The vibrant green “Wake Up, You Donkey” cocktail is crafted with “the most amazing tequila,” as Ramsay described (via YouTube), combined with cider, fresh honey, and the surprisingly unique smoked elderflower. A slice of zesty lime makes it even more refreshing. True to his style, Ramsay tasted the drink and exclaimed: “F*** me, that’s delicious.”
Is Ramsay’s favorite cocktail still available for ordering?
In 2016, patrons could enjoy Gordon Ramsay’s favorite cocktail at the Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill located in Atlantic City. In a Reddit “Ask Me Anything” in 2015, Ramsay characterized this drink as “sort of spicy, and fragrant,” although he indicated it was made with Tanqueray gin back then. This variation seemingly predates its tequila incarnation.
Sadly, the whimsically-named cocktail is no longer listed on the Gordon Ramsay Pub menu, though a 2019 cocktail menu featured a similar drink called “Giddy Up You Donkey,” which included El Jimador tequila, along with smoked elderflower honey, lime, and Strongbow cider. However, as of 2024, there are no donkeys present on the pub’s menu at all.
Ramsay has not limited himself to just one donkey-themed drink. His establishment, Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen at Caesars Palace, once offered a tiki-style cocktail named the Rum Donkey, but it was removed from the menu following injuries incurred by two guests in 2018.
Gordon Ramsay’s recent cocktails reflect a more sophisticated and serious approach to mixology, highlighting his development as a culinary expert.
In recent times, the playful donkey themes and flaming drinks have been overshadowed by a more mature selection on Gordon Ramsay’s menus. The Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill in Atlantic City now offers cocktails like the Royal Margarita, which incorporates cranberries alongside classic margarita elements, and a distinctive gin and tonic featuring aloe vera liqueur and yuzu, a fragrant Japanese citrus.
Even though there’s currently no donkey cocktail at the Gordon Ramsay Pub, there is a mule — specifically, an apple mule crafted with Cîroc Apple Vodka, lime juice, cinnamon syrup, cardamom bitters, and ginger ale. This combination promises a spicy kick. Additionally, if you order a Notes From Gordon cocktail at any of Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen locations, you’ll receive a whimsical note with a humorous quip from Ramsay, potentially including one of his beloved donkey jabs just for you.