The list of ‘classic cocktails’ at most bars is pretty similar. You’ll find the likely candidates: Martinis, Daiquiris, Manhattans - and rightly so. But, knowing well there are plenty of more gems hidden in the history books, we tasked the curious and talented Mr. Simon Aukett from the Keefer bar in Vancouver to investigate and share his findings.
A STUDIED STIR
With everyone else looking towards tech and the future, it’s probably not a great surprise that bartenders have a nostalgic leaning towards the past more than most. Our profession, after all, is an ancient craft when you think of it in context of most desk jobs these days; we have more history to draw from. And we should.
Personally, I have a great admiration and respect for the early innovators that shaped the path: Jerry Thomas (below), Harry Johnson, Ada Coleman and Harry MacElhone and the likes carved out an industry with their impeccable taste and talent.
They weren’t afforded the luxuries of today’s bartending: the vast and easily sourced global ingredients, new tech and tools and access to information about any of it (or anything) at our fingertips.
This is what impresses me so much. Their ability to craft meticulously balanced cocktails with such limited resources is celebrated by their cocktails standing the test of time. So, looking backwards, we may learn from the craft of achieving balance and flavour combinations – lessons we can apply to modern cocktail creations.
THE DRINKS
I‘ve picked 3 of my favourite recipes from a few of the older books I still revert to. It was no small feat in deciding on the 3, as there’s so many damn good ones out there.
For the most part, I have kept these drinks true to my original understanding of them and refrained from too much modification, other than to balance them a little for today’s modern palate. It is my humble opinion that classic cocktails like these should remain unadulterated and stand as an example of how to mix drinks and create flavours back when the tools at our disposal were significantly fewer than those of today.
CLARIDGE COCKTAIL
Nestled in the pages of what is arguably one of the greatest tomes of cocktails, you guessed it, the Savoy Cocktail Book, we find this little-known treasure. There is debate as to whether the original appeared here or 3 years previous in Harry McElhone’s Barflies and Cocktails, but either way, it’s essentially a wet martini with the added fruitiness of triple sec and apricot.
The drink is on the sweeter side, but it’s absolutely delicious and nicely balanced. I also find it’s a great gateway cocktail to introduce people to stiffer drinks like martinis. I forget exactly when or how I came across this little tipple, but I’ve never forgotten about it and it’s a great one to pull out when someone wants something new.
RECIPE
30ml Tanqueray London Dry Gin
30ml Dry Vermouth
15ml Apricot liqueur
15ml Triple sec
METHOD
- 1.Add all ingredients to mixing glass and stir.
- 2.Strain into a cocktail glass.
- 3.Garnish with a lemon twist.
Alcohol content: 21.80g per serve
MISSIONARY’S DOWNFALL
Traditionally blended, this drink has a Mojito-esque profile emboldened by the addition of peach liqueur and fresh pineapple. It’s a great drink because it’s sweet enough but has herbaceous tones coming through with the mint kick. Unless you have a blender, I’d recommend throwing this together in a shaker giving it a solid, furious shake and serving it over crushed ice in a Hurricane or Collins glass. Ideal for somebody who likes a fruity rum drink or wants something like a Mojito but
RECIPE
50ml Ron Zacapa rum
15ml Peach liqueur
60ml Pineapple juice
15ml Lime juice
15ml Honey syrup (2:1)
5 Mint leaves
METHOD
- 1.Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
- 2.Strain into a hurricane or Collins glass filled with crushed ice.
- 3.Garnish with a mint sprig.
Alcohol content: 17.81g per serve
GRAND STAND
This little number came to my attention by way of Melbourne, Australia, and a friend of mine behind the stick at The Everleigh. Found in 1700 Cocktails for The Man Behind the Bar by R.de Fleury (1934), this tasty little number marries cognac and gin with lime and Maraschino. As unusual as it sounds, the flavours come together beautifully to form an elegant cocktail that draws comparisons to the well-known Last Word.
I make mine with a little splash of simple syrup to account for the modern palate, which is accustomed to a little more sugar. This is a great cocktail for anyone looking for something citrusy and refreshing that they haven’t tried before.
RECIPE
30ml Tanqueray London Dry Gin
30ml Cognac
30ml Lime juice
15ml Maraschino liqueur
10ml Simple syrup (1:1)
METHOD
- 1.Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
- 2.Strain into a cocktail glass.
- 3.No garnish.
Alcohol content: 23.46g per serve
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