Gordon Ramsay, the British chef and restaurateur, is renowned not just for his exquisite cooking but also for his sharp wit. It’s fitting that his preferred cocktail has a name that could easily escape his lips while critiquing a chef on “Hell’s Kitchen.” In a 2016 appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” Ramsay disclosed that his favorite tequila drink is whimsically named “Wake Up, You Donkey.”
This term, often hurled at chefs during his shows, reflects Ramsay’s colorful language. In a 2018 episode of “Hell’s Kitchen,” he playfully called out chefs for “cooking like donkeys” and jokingly suggested renaming the establishment to “Donkey’s Kitchen” (as seen on YouTube). At times, he simply yells “You donkey!” and frequently advises flustered chefs to “Wake up!”.
The vibrant green “Wake Up, You Donkey” cocktail boasts “the most amazing tequila,” according to Ramsay (via YouTube), combined with cider, fresh honey, and smoked elderflower, showcasing a unique craft cocktail element. It was garnished with a zesty lime slice. True to his character, the chef took a sip and exclaimed: “F*** me, that’s delicious.”
Can I still order Ramsay’s favorite cocktail?
In 2016, Gordon Ramsay’s favorite cocktail graced the menu at the Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill located in Atlantic City. During a 2015 Reddit “Ask Me Anything” session, Ramsay described this drink as “sort of spicy and fragrant” but mentioned that it was made with Tanqueray gin back then. This may have been an earlier version before the tequila became the star.
Regrettably, the whimsically titled cocktail has since been removed from the Gordon Ramsay Pub menu, though a 2019 cocktail list did feature a similar drink called “Giddy Up You Donkey.” This drink included El Jimador — an affordable tequila worth trying — along with smoked elderflower honey, lime, and Strongbow cider. However, as of 2024, the pub’s menu no longer includes any donkey-themed offerings.
These cocktails are not the only donkey-inspired creations by Ramsay. At his restaurant Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen located at Caesars Palace, a flaming tiki-style drink called the Rum Donkey was once on the menu. However, it was removed in 2018 following incidents where two diners were injured.
Gordon Ramsay’s latest cocktails take a more serious approach, showcasing sophistication and creativity in each thoughtfully crafted drink.
In recent times, the playful donkey references and flamboyant drinks have been phased out from Gordon Ramsay’s menus, giving way to more mature selections. At the Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill in Atlantic City, patrons can now indulge in beverages like the Royal Margarita, which incorporates cranberries along with traditional margarita ingredients, and a signature gin and tonic featuring aloe vera liqueur and yuzu, a fragrant Japanese citrus.
While donkeys are no longer on the menu, the pub does offer a mule — specifically, an apple mule made with Cîroc Apple Vodka, lime juice, cinnamon syrup, cardamom bitters, and ginger ale. This blend of spicy elements promises a delightful kick. If you choose to order a Notes From Gordon cocktail at one of Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen restaurants, you will also receive a note with a funny message directly from Ramsay. Who knows, it might even include a well-known donkey insult just for you.