I find “old school drinks” intriguing. Watching Bewitched when I was a kid was my introduction to the after work martini. While thinking about old school drinks I decided to do a bit of a dive into some of them. At work, the lead distiller and another co-worker went to school to train as bartenders. I asked them for “old school cocktails”. They both agreed that the Vesper, Old Fashioned, Sazerac, and Ramos Gin Fizz would be a few that would classify as four classic cocktails.
Vesper
The Vesper cocktail has an interesting story and our first of our classic cocktails. The drink first appeared in Ian Fleming’s 1953 novel “Casino Royale,” where James Bond orders a cocktail that he names the Vesper. He describes it as a mix of gin, vodka, and Lillet, which is a French aperitif. The classic line that he says tells exactly how to make it. Shaken, not stirred.
History
The Vesper was created by Bond as a tribute to a character in the novel named Vesper Lynd. The cocktail regained popularity after the release of the 2006 film adaptation of “Casino Royale,” where Daniel Craig’s portrayal of Bond helped reintroduce the drink to modern audiences. It was one of the most searched drinks on the internet that same year.
How to Make a Vesper Martini
Vesper Martini
Equipment
- Shaker
- Jigger
- Martini Glass
Ingredients
- 3 ounces Gin
- 1 ounce Vodka
- ½ ounce Lillet Blanc
- Lemon for garnish
Instructions
- Start by chilling a cocktail glass or a coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the gin, vodka, and Lillet.
- Shake the mixture vigorously for about 15 seconds until well chilled.
- Strain the mixture into the chilled glass.
- Add a lemon twist for garnish, expressing the oils over the drink before placing it in.
Notes
Sazerac
One of the original classic cocktails, the Sazerac, is one of the oldest known cocktails in America. It can be traced back to New Orleans in the early 19th century. Its history shows the cultural influences of the area and the changes in cocktail culture.
History
The Sazerac originated in the 1830s. Initially it was made with a brandy, Sazerac de Forge et Fils. It was created by Antoine Amédée Peychaud, a Creole pharmacist who served the drink in his apothecary using his own bitters. You can still purchase Peychaud’s Bitters which is distributed by the Sazerac Company.
By the late 19th century, the cocktail rye whiskey replaced brandy as the base spirit. This was due to the availability of rye in the region. The first known written recipe for the Sazerac appeared in a bar guide by Jerry Thomas in 1887. He recommended the use of absinthe to rinse the glass.
Closely tied to New Orleans the Sazerac was declared the official cocktail of the city in 2008.
How to Make a Sazerac Cocktail
Sazerac
Equipment
- 1 Shaker
- 1 Jigger
- Rocks or martini glass
Ingredients
- 2½ ounces rye whiskey
- 4 dashes Peychaud's bitters
- 1 Sugar cube
- Absynthe to rinse
- 1 Lemon peel garnish
Instructions
- Rinse a chilled rocks glass with absinthe and set aside.
- In a mixing glass, muddle the sugar cube, water and the Peychaud’s bitters.
- Add the rye whiskey, fill the mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled.
- Strain into glass.
- Twist the lemon peel to express over the drink and garnish.
Notes
Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned is one of the most iconic cocktails in American drinking culture, renowned for its simplicity and timeless appeal. Its history is as rich as its flavor.
History
Tracing the Old Fashioned’s roots can be take us back to the early 1800’s. The term “cocktail” was defined in an 1806 newspaper as a mix of spirits, sugar, water, and bitters. This basic formula is the foundation of many classic cocktails.
By the late 1800s, people began referring to this style of drink as “Old Fashioned” to distinguish it from the more elaborate cocktails that were becoming popular at the time. Patrons at bars would request their drinks be made the “old-fashioned” way, thus the name. The drink was originally made with rye whiskey, but bourbon became more popular over time.
Literature, film, and television often feature the Old Fashioned. This has made it one of the most classic cocktails of all time.
How to Make an Old Fashioned
Old Fashioned
Equipment
- Rocks glass
- Bar spoon
Ingredients
- 2 ounces bourbon or rye whiskey
- 1 sugar cube or 1/2 teaspoon simple syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- A few dashes of plain water
- Orange peel for garnish
- Maraschino cherry optional, for garnish
Instructions
- In an Old Fanshioned glass, muddle the sugar cube with a couple of dashes of Angostura bitters and a splash of water until the sugar is dissolved.
- Pour in the bourbon or rye whiskey.
- Add one large ice cube or several smaller cubes to the glass.
- Stir gently to combine the ingredients and chill the drink.
- Express the oils from an orange peel over the drink, then drop it in. If desired, add a maraschino cherry for garnish.
Notes
Ramos Gin Fizz
The Ramos Gin Fizz is another of the classic cocktails. With a reputation for having a creamy texture and refreshing taste. It’s most famous for its labor intensive preparation and ingredients.
History
The Ramos Gin Fizz was created in New Orleans by Henry C. Ramos in the 1880s. Ramos was a bartender at the Imperial Cabinet Saloon. This is where he developed the cocktail to attract patrons. The cocktail got more popular and became a big part of the New Orleans cocktail scene. Particularly well known for it’s consumption during Mardi Gras.
The original recipe required a shit ton shaking. Up to 12 minutes! The shaking was crucial to getting the drink’s super frothy texture. To save the arms of his bartenders, Ramos hired multiple people to be shakers. This helped with the preparation, especially during busy times.
The Ramos Gin Fizz remained popular even through Prohibition. Bartenders often served it to help cover the taste of lower quality spirits. The cocktail features in many cocktail books and is still popular with cocktail enthusiasts!
How to Make a Ramos Gin Fizz
Ramos Gin Fizz
Equipment
- 1 Shaker
- 1 Jigger
- 1 Rocks glass
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Gin
- 1 ounce Heavy cream
- 1 ounce Lemon juice
- 1 ounce Lime juice
- ½ ounce Simple syrup
- 1 Egg white optional for extra froth
- 2 Dashes of orange flower water
- Club soda to top
- Ice
Instructions
- In a shaker, combine the gin, heavy cream, lemon juice, lime juice, simple syrup, egg white (if using), and orange flower water.
- First, shake the mixture without ice for about 15 seconds to emulsify the egg white and create a frothy texture.
- Add ice to the shaker and shake vigorously for another 1-2 minutes. The longer you shake, the frothier the drink will be.
- Fine strain the mixture into a chilled highball glass or a fizz glass (it should be without ice).
- Slowly add club soda to fill the glass. The drink should have a foamy top.
- You can garnish with a twist of lemon peel (optional)
Notes
Whatever classic cocktail you choose to make, you can’t go wrong with any of these four. Have fun making one and enjoy!
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