You
should know that there has been a recent rebirth
of the classic cocktail.
There’s a marrying of the classics with modern mixology
shaking up the nation that won’t reach most bars in America,
however as a bartender you should know what’s going on in
your chosen profession. Did you know that the cocktail turned
200 years old in 2006?
Martini
By
far, the Martini is the King of cocktails.
It is the
icon of the cocktail culture and whole books have been written
about its simplicity with a dash of controversy. You should
know that no one knows when, who, or where the first Martini
was created. What we do know is that Jerry
Thomaspublished a cocktail recipe called a Martinez in
The
Bartenders Guide in 1887. It consisted of gin, sweet
vermouth, maraschino liqueur, bitters and a lemon twist. This
sounds like someone was trying to create a Manhattan spin-off.
In
1907 William Boothby published
a Dry Martini Cocktail in his book, The
World’s Drinks and How to Mix Them. That recipe
consisted of gin, French dry vermouth, orange bitters, a lemon
peel and an olive.
During
prohibition, Martinis flourished because
gin didn’t require aging like whiskey, so it was readily
available in speakeasies. At the time Martinis were being
made with equal amounts of gin and dry vermouth. Through the years
the amount of dry vermouth decreased and by the 1950s Hollywood
movie stars were swirling just a couple of drops of dry vermouth
in the glass on the silver screen.
All
hell broke loose when
Ian Fleming wrote about a fictional British spy named
James Bond in the novel Casino
Royale. Bond orders a cocktail called a Vesper
(name of his love interest) containing of gin, vodka and Kina
Lillet aperitif shaken, not stirred with a lemon twist.
By
the second Bond novel the
handsome and debonair spy was drinking Vodka Martinis
with a catch phrase; shaken not stirred.
Glass: Martini or rocks.
2 ounces of gin
1/4 ounce dry vermouth
Mixing Method: Shake and strain or stir and strain depending on
what the guest wants.
Garnish: Lemon peel or green olive.
Note: If you’d like to try the original Martini then
add a dash of orange bitters. When a guest orders a Dry Martini
it means that you only use a couple of drops of dry vermouth.
When they order it very dry or extra dry it means that you don’t
use any vermouth at all. An in & out or upside down Martini
is when you swirl a few drops of dry vermouth to coat the inside
of the glass then pour it out. A Perfect Martini (or perfect anything
for that matter) means to use half dry vermouth and half sweet
vermouth. A Dirty Martini means that you add olive juice. And
a Martini garnished with cocktail onions is called a Gibson. Martinis
can also be requested on the rocks.
More things to know about the Martini
When you shake a Martini,
the melting ice creates essential water needed for the cocktail.
Some guests like it to be shaken until there are thin shards of
ice on top and after straining. The feel of a shaken Martini is
light and airy on the tongue because you’ve added air to
the mix while shaking. The initial look will be a little hazy.
Martini connoisseurs call this bruising the gin.
When
you stir a Martini for half a minute, it
creates a heavy satiny and silky feel on the tongue. The look
is very translucent. This is the way Martinis were made before
James Bond was created.
Martini
connoisseurs say that you shouldn’t
keep liquor in the freezer or start making a Martini with the
liquor being cold because you don’t get the same dilution
of water from the ice. Truly, it’s all how you like it.
Lots of people like just a small amount of water being added to
their Martini.
A
Martini Mister is a small stainless steel
refillable spray canister that you fill with dry vermouth to mist
the top of your Martini.
There
is much debate over how many olives a Martini
should get. Most of the experts agree with one dropped to the
bottom and will accept two speared olives through the sides on
a cocktail pick due to the pressure of movies, TV, artist renditions,
photos, cartoons, etc., because it’s hard to get away with
what’s been crammed down the masses' throats. Three or more
olives are unacceptable unless requested by the guest or you work
at a low-end bar that stocks the tiny olives.
Olive
stuffers can be found in upscale bars. The
most popular ingredient to stuff in olives is bleu cheese.
The reason why gin and dry vermouth go well
together is because gin is infused with herbs and botanicals and
dry vermouth is a fortified wine meaning that herbs have been
added.
Know
that the flavored modern Martinis of today
make Martini connoisseurs' toes curl and actually made bartenders
everywhere cringe when this marketing ploy started. It’s
said that Absolut Citron started it all with the Cosmopolitan
because up until that time no other cocktail, other than a gin
or vodka Martini, was strained into a martini glass.
It was actually inevitable due to the explosion of infused spirits
hitting the market. Amazingly, within just a couple of years Martini
Bars and Martini menus popped up everywhere, but the main thing
to know is that the modern Martinis of today are really
just the shooters of yesterday. Instead of being
chugged they are being sipped in elegant martini glassware.Z
You’ll
find that Dirty Martini lovers like different
strengths of dirtiness, so I’ve learned to ask, Would
you like it R, X, or XXX rated? They always smile, but get
it.
Manhattan
There
are many stories of people
claiming to have invented the Manhattan, but all agree on the
location in which it was invented, Manhattan. What we do know
is that it was first made with rye whiskey since it was plentiful
at the time (late 1800’s). In modern times it can be made
with a favorite bourbon or whiskey. And in Minnesota and Wisconsin
it’s made with brandy.
Glass: Martini or rocks.
2 ounces of rye, bourbon whiskey
1 ounce of sweet vermouth
2 dashes of Angostura bitters
Mixing Method: Stir and strain.
Garnish: Cherry.
Note: A Perfect Manhattan calls for half sweet vermouth and half
dry vermouth with a lemon twist. A Manhattan can be requested
on the rocks and if you replace the whiskey with scotch whiskey
you’ve made a Rob Roy.
Rusty
Nail
Glass:
Rocks.
1 1/2 ounces of scotch whisky
3/4 ounce of Drambuie (dram-BOO-ee)
Mixing
Method: Build.
Garnish: None.
Note: You will find that Rusty Nail drinkers have a preference
when it comes to the ratio of scotch to Drambuie. Also, you’ll
find several ratios in many other cocktail recipe books, however
this measurement seems to satisfy most Rusty Nail lovers from
my experience.
Just so you know, Drambuie is a Scotch based honey and herb liqueur.
It’s proof is very high (80 proof) for a liqueur so it makes
this cocktail very potent.
Stinger
Glass: Rocks.
2 ounces of brandy or Cognac
1 ounce of white crème de menthe
Mixing Method: Shake and strain into a rocks glass of ice.
Garnish: None.
Note: Some older guests may request for the stinger to be
made with crushed ice. Also if you replace the brandy with vodka
this vodka stinger is called a White Spider.
Godfather
Glass: Rocks.
1 ounce of blended Scotch whisky
1 ounce of amaretto
Mixing Method: Build.
Garnish: None.
Note: Replace the Scotch with vodka and you’ve made
a Godmother.
Gimlet
(The G sounds like the G in Gum)
The
key ingredient in a Gimlet is Rose's lime juice,
which is a brand of sweetened lime juice invented by Lauchlin
Rose in 1867. Rose invented this non-alcoholic cordial when he
was trying to find a way to preserve fresh Caribbean limejuice
to keep on long voyages at sea to help sailors combat scurvy (a
disease from not getting enough vitamin C).
Cocktail/martini glass or rocks glass
2 oz dry gin
.75 oz Rose’s lime juice
Lime wedge garnish
The
Champagne Cocktail was invented sometime
in the early 1800s making it a true classic. It made its way to
the first bartender book by Jerry Thomas in 1862.
Glass: Champagne.
1 sugar cube soaked with bitters (about 5 dashes)
Fill with Champagne
Garnish: Lemon twist.
Lay a sugar cube on a saucer and soak it with the bitters. Drop
the cube into a champagne flute then add the brut champagne. Twist
a thin piece of lemon rind (the twist) over the cocktail so that
the lemon oils cascade into the glass. Gently rub the oils from
the twist around the rim of the glass rim then drop into the cocktail.
Allow the cube to slowly melt while partaking.
Mimosa
It’s
said that the Mimosa
was invented in Paris, France at the Ritz Hotel in 1925.
They would also add a tablespoon of Grand Marnier calling it a
Grand Mimosa or a Buck’s Fizz. If you replace the
orange juice with cranberry juice it’s called a Hibiscus,
which matches the hibiscus bloom much better than a mimosa flower
bloom matches the color of a Mimosa.
Glass: Champagne.
2 ounces of orange juice
Fill with Champagne
Mixing Method: Build.
Garnish: Strawberry.
Note: The Mimosa is a traditional brunch cocktail and is often
included in a buffet brunch'es price.
Bellini
The Bellini
is said to have been invented
in Harry’s Bar in Venice, Italy in 1945 and named in 1949
by Gluseppe Cipriani.
Glass: Champagne.
1 ounce of white peach purée
5 ounces of Prosecco (sparkling wine from Italy)
Mixing Method: Pour the peach puree into a mixing glass with ice
cubes, then slowly add the Champagne. With a bar spoon, gently
stir by dragging the puree up from the bottom, much like folding
egg whites. Strain into a Champagne fluted glass.
Garnish: None
Note: This cocktail is usually only found in high end bars
that make their own white peach puree and stock Prosecco. Some
cheat using peach nectar and house Champagne or sparkling wine
and pass it off as a Bellini.
Kir
(rhymes with ear)
The
Kir is named after a French mayor
of Dijon named Felix Kir who lived from 1876-1968.
Glass: Champagne.
1/4 ounce crème de cassis (kuh-CEASE)
Fill with white wine
Mixing Method: Build.
Garnish: Lemon twist
Note: Crème de cassis is a black currant liqueur. When
you replace the white wine with Champagne you’ve made a
Kir Royale. When using white wine, Chablis or chardonnay is preferred.
Substitute the crème de cassis in a Kir Royale for Chambord
and you’ve made a Kir Imperial.
Cuba
Libre
(KOO-buh-LEE-bray)
Teddy Roosevelt wore
many hats throughout his life
and one of them was commander of the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry
Regiment during the Spanish-American War. They were called the
Rough Riders. While the Rough Riders were in Cuba fighting the
Spanish in 1898, this drink was invented and named after the battle
cry Free Cuba.
Glass: Highball.
1 1/2 ounces of light rum
Juice from a lime wedge
Fill with Cola
Mixing Method: Squeeze the juice from a lime wedge over the ice,
rim the glass with the same lime and throw away then build the
rest of the ingredients.
Garnish: Lime wedge.
Note: Notice that a Cuba Libre is just Rum & Coke with
the extra lime action.
There are many many
other classic cocktails that are mentioned in the other categories.
Here they are for you. Note: When "sour" or "sour
mix" is mentioned it means fresh lemon juice and simple syrup.
Also some people use cream instead of half & half. Bar punch
is equal parts orange, pineapple and sour mix with grenadine for
flavor and color.
Juicy
Classics Bloody
Mary:
vodka and bloody mary mix. Bocce Ball: amaretto and orange juice. Harvey Wallbanger: vodka, Galliano, and orange
juice (A Screwdriver with Galliano on top) Screwdriver: vodka and orange juice. Tequila Sunrise: Tequila, orange juice and grenadine.
Creamy
Classics Brandy
Alexander:
brandy, dark crème de cocoa, half & half. Golden Cadillac: white crème de cocoa,
Galliano, and half & half. Grasshopper: green crème de menthe, white
crème de cocoa, half & half. Pink Squirrel: white crème de cocoa, crème
de noya (also called noyeaux), and half & half. White and Black Russian: vodka & coffee liqueur
(Just add half & half for a White Russian).
Sour
Classics Bacardi
Cocktail: Bacardi light rum, sour mix, and grenadine
(by law it must be made with Bacardi). Between the Sheets: rum, brandy, triple sec,
sour mix. Daiquiri: light rum, simple syrup and fresh lime
juice. Margarita: Tequila, triple sec, and lime juice. Sidecar: brandy or Cognac, triple sec, and sour
mix. Can be served with a sugared rim. Singapore Sling #1: gin, sour mix, soda water,
bitters and a cherry brandy floater. Singapore Sling #2: gin, Cherry Heering, Cointreau,
Benedictine, pineapple juice, lime juice, grenadine, and bitters. Tom Collins: gin, sour, and soda water. Whiskey Sour: whiskey and sour mix.
Tropical
Classics Hurricane:
light rum, dark rum, passion fruit juice, and bar punch mix. Mai Tai #1: light rum, amber rum, orange Curaçao,
orgeat syrup, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, mint garnish. Mai Tai #2: light rum, dark rum, triple sec,
amaretto, sour, and pineapple juice with a pineapple flag garnish.
Dark rum is floated on top. Piña Colada: rum and piña colada
mix (Coco Lopez and pioneapple juice). Planters Punch: dark Jamaician rum, lemon &
lime juice, simple syrup, grenadine, and bitters. Zombie: light rum, gold rum, 151 demerara rum,
lemon, lime & pineapple juices, passion fruit syrup, brown
sugar, and Angostura bitters.
Hot
Classics Irish
Coffee:
Irish whiskey, 3 packets of sugar, hot fresh coffee, and real
whipped cream.
Stick
Classics Mint
Julep: bourbon, sugar, spearmint leaves. Mojito: rum, lime, sugar, mint, soda water. Old Fashioned (original): rye, whiskey, or bourbon,
muddled lemon twist, and Angostura bitters. Old Fashioned: rye whiskey, muddled orange &
cherry, and Angostura bitters. Some don't muddle the cherry.
More
Classics You Should Be Aware Of
Americano:
Campari, sweet vermouth, and a splash of soda. Black Velvet: Guinness and Champagne. Dark N’ Stormy: Gosling’s Black Seal
rum and ginger beer. Gin Rickey: gin, juice of half a lime, soda water. Moscow Mule: Smirnoff vodka, limejuice, and ginger
beer. Negroni: gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. Pink Gin: gin and bitters. Sazerac: rye whiskey, Peychaud’s bitters,
simple syrup, stirred and served in a chilled absinthe rinsed
glass with a lemon twist not dropped into the drink. Ward 8: whiskey, orange juice, lemon juice, and
grenadine. White Lady: gin, Cointreau, and lemon juice.
You
Should Also Know...
There
are "types" of cocktails that received their names from
the 1800's.
Cobbler:
contains a spirit, sugar, and a garnish of fruits.
Collins:
contains
a spirit, lemon juice, simple syrup,and carbonation.
Daisy:
contains
a base spirit, lemon juice, and a sweetener such as gum syrup,
raspberry syrup, or grenadine.
Fix:
contains
a spirit, lemon juice, sugar, and served with crushed ice.
Fizz:
like the collins; contains a spirit, lemon juice, simple syrup,and
carbonation. Almost like a Sling.
Flip:
contains
a spirit, egg, sugar, and spice (no cream).
Egg
Nog: contains
a spirit, egg, cream, sugar, and spice.
Julep:
contains
a spirit, sugar, and mint.
Rickey:
contains
a spirit, lime juice, and club soda.
Sling:
contains
a spirit, lemon juice, sugar, and sometimes carbonation served
in a tall glass. Almost like a Fizz.
