It is fair to say with anything that the old ones are always the best. Take the great novels and movies that have stood the test of time for example; War & Peace and It's a Wonderful Life, these will never stop being appreciated no matter how many years may pass. While new creations may come out boasting more colors and excitement, it is still the classics that stand apart from the modern rabble, boasting qualities that are timeless. This can also be said of cocktails.
The range and variety of cocktails is truly amazing, there is a never ending selection of new cocktails being created all the time which utilize new flavors and preparation methods. However, many of these new cocktails still owe their inception to the cocktails of history; the classics that will never be forgot and will never stop being enjoyed. If you are fancying a cocktail, then why not take a waltz in the past and try some classic cocktails. Here is a selection of three of the old greats that are as exciting and delicious as any of the new breed.
One cocktail that is obviously an old timer among the bar selection is an Old Fashioned, a classic bourbon based cocktail. This cocktail truly is one of the oldest there is, arguably the first drink to be referred to as a cocktail. The first use of the specific name 'Old Fashioned' was recorded in the 1880s at the Pendennis Club, a gentlemen's club in Louisville, Kentucky.
To make this ancient concoction you will need 1 sugar cube, 2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters, 3 oz bourbon, 2 orange slices, and maraschino cherries for garnishing. To prepare place the sugar cube at the bottom of an old-fashioned glass (named after the cocktail itself), saturate the cube with the bitters and add an orange slice. Muddle these ingredients, fill the glass with ice cubes, add the bourbon, stir well and garnish with another orange slice and maraschino cherry.
The Tom Collins is the quintessential classic long drink. This drink was first recorded in writing in 1876 by 'the father of American mixology' Jerry Thomas in his book 'The Bartender's Guide.' There are many variations on the old standard Tom Collins utilizing different spirits: a John Collins (bourbon), a Vodka Collins and a Juan Collins (tequila), to name but a few. But the classic standard gin Collins remains the popular favorite.
If you feel like enjoying a Tom Collins you will need 1 1/2 oz gin, 1 oz lemon juice, 1/2 oz sugar syrup, club soda, and maraschino cherries and lemon slices for garnish. To prepare first pour the gin, lemon juice, and sugar syrup in a Collins glass (another glass that derives its name from the classic cocktail that first utilized its design) with ice cubes and stir thoroughly. Top up with soda water and garnish with cherries and lemon slices.
We now move across the Atlantic to France for the next classic cocktail on the list. The exact date of this cocktail's conception is unclear, but it is believed to be shortly after the First World War in Paris where the Ritz Hotel claims the acclimation of giving birth to this classic. The first recipe for a Sidecar cocktail appeared in 1922 in Harry MacElhone's Harry's ABC of Mixing Cocktails.
A Sidecar includes 1 1/2 oz Cognac (though the use of bourbon is traditional as well), 3/4 oz Cointreau, and 1/4 oz lemon juice. To prepare pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes, shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Why fix it if it is not broken? Next time you feel like a cocktail try one of these old greats and enjoy the taste of cocktail mixology's history.
The range and variety of cocktails is truly amazing, there is a never ending selection of new cocktails being created all the time which utilize new flavors and preparation methods. However, many of these new cocktails still owe their inception to the cocktails of history; the classics that will never be forgot and will never stop being enjoyed. If you are fancying a cocktail, then why not take a waltz in the past and try some classic cocktails. Here is a selection of three of the old greats that are as exciting and delicious as any of the new breed.
One cocktail that is obviously an old timer among the bar selection is an Old Fashioned, a classic bourbon based cocktail. This cocktail truly is one of the oldest there is, arguably the first drink to be referred to as a cocktail. The first use of the specific name 'Old Fashioned' was recorded in the 1880s at the Pendennis Club, a gentlemen's club in Louisville, Kentucky.
To make this ancient concoction you will need 1 sugar cube, 2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters, 3 oz bourbon, 2 orange slices, and maraschino cherries for garnishing. To prepare place the sugar cube at the bottom of an old-fashioned glass (named after the cocktail itself), saturate the cube with the bitters and add an orange slice. Muddle these ingredients, fill the glass with ice cubes, add the bourbon, stir well and garnish with another orange slice and maraschino cherry.
The Tom Collins is the quintessential classic long drink. This drink was first recorded in writing in 1876 by 'the father of American mixology' Jerry Thomas in his book 'The Bartender's Guide.' There are many variations on the old standard Tom Collins utilizing different spirits: a John Collins (bourbon), a Vodka Collins and a Juan Collins (tequila), to name but a few. But the classic standard gin Collins remains the popular favorite.
If you feel like enjoying a Tom Collins you will need 1 1/2 oz gin, 1 oz lemon juice, 1/2 oz sugar syrup, club soda, and maraschino cherries and lemon slices for garnish. To prepare first pour the gin, lemon juice, and sugar syrup in a Collins glass (another glass that derives its name from the classic cocktail that first utilized its design) with ice cubes and stir thoroughly. Top up with soda water and garnish with cherries and lemon slices.
We now move across the Atlantic to France for the next classic cocktail on the list. The exact date of this cocktail's conception is unclear, but it is believed to be shortly after the First World War in Paris where the Ritz Hotel claims the acclimation of giving birth to this classic. The first recipe for a Sidecar cocktail appeared in 1922 in Harry MacElhone's Harry's ABC of Mixing Cocktails.
A Sidecar includes 1 1/2 oz Cognac (though the use of bourbon is traditional as well), 3/4 oz Cointreau, and 1/4 oz lemon juice. To prepare pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes, shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Why fix it if it is not broken? Next time you feel like a cocktail try one of these old greats and enjoy the taste of cocktail mixology's history.
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