Did you know where the term ‘cocktail’ came from? Well, the origin is a bit hazy. While some talk about the story of a lady innkeeper, who served spirited drinks to war soldiers, occasionally stirring and garnishing them with feathers of her neighbour’s rooster, other theories mention Antoine Amedie Peychaud, who invented Peychaud bitters in the 16th century and he used to serve toddies in egg cups.
There are also some stories that suggest that the word ‘cocktail’ has close links with the French term ‘coquetier’ (‘cocktay’ in English) for eggcup. Well, wherever the word came from, it definitely came for good as it has now become a go-to drink for our weekend chill, and an ultimate party starter.
No wonder most celebrations include a chic Cosmopolitan, a boozy LIIT, or a classic Martini, or the brunch essential Mimosa. But if you ‘re done with the usual cocktails and plan to introduce something new to your guests at your next party, or simply love to experiment with your drinks, we’ve got you covered. Sagar Kulkarni - from Hotel Royal Orchid, Bengaluru - has some specially-curated cocktails that are sure to sway you at the first sip.
So, get your bartending skills on point and start experimenting.
1. Bizzy Izzy Highball
In 1927, a man called Patrick Duffy made a public claim of the drink. He wrote to the New York Times, claiming that Adam’s house in Boston actually served America’s first Scotch Highball. The story Duffy tells is that in 1894, a famed English actor came into his bar and ordered a Scotch and soda.
Ingredients:
- 45 ml bourbon whisky
- 60 ml pineapple juice
- 20 ml sweet and sour
- 30 ml cabernet shiraz wine to float
Method:
- Shake all ingredients (excluding wine) in a cocktail shaker with ice
- Pour In old fashioned glass and pour cabernet shiraz wine gently to float
- Garnish with dehydrated orange slices.
2. Clover’s Club
The Clover Club cocktail is a drink that predates prohibition in the US, and is named for the Philadelphia men’s club, of the same name, which met in Bellevue - Stratford Hotel at South-Broad and Walnut Streets in centre city. The Clover Club was chartered in 1882 and was enjoyed by the captains of industry who were members of the famous club.
Ingredients:
- 45 ml gin
- 15 ml martini bianco
- Egg white
- 15 ml raspberry syrup
- 15 ml sweet and sour
Method:
- Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker, dry shake.
- Add ice to chill the drink.
- Pour in glass with strainer.
- Garnish it with a cinnamon stick.