Cocktails The great David Wondrich identifies the very first instance of the word “cocktail” in print in “The Farmer’s Cabinet” from Amherst, New Hampshire on 28 April 1803: Drank a glass of cocktail — excellent for the head ... Call'd at the Doct's. found Burnham — he looked very wise — drank another glass of cocktail. The word itself originally referred to a mixed breed horse, but came to designate the curious, hair of the dog concoction New Englanders were taking to cure their hangovers that they made from a liquor of any kind, sugar, water, and bitters—ice didn’t factor in till the 1830s. We have come a long way from this—not that that is always a good thing, try an Old Fashioned or a Sazerac for a treat—and the cocktail holds many meanings today. Here at the BBC, the cocktail means one thing: quality. We use fresh juices and the choicest alcohols. Period. No substitutions and no excuses. We are here to serve the classics, serve them well, and let our work speak for itself. Cheers. Angostura Horse's Neck In this, as in all the gin cocktails on this list, do not fear the gin! This is one dynamite warm-weather liquid comestible. If you would like a traditional Horse's Neck, ask for bourbon. Plymouth Gin, Lemon, Sugar, & Ginger Beer Aviation This is one of the great cocktails of the turn of the century. The Aviation possesses a distinctive flavor that builds on the palate. Maraschino has a unique flavor, so this drink is not for everyone. Whitley Neill Gin, Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur, & Lemon 1820 Cocktail We decided to make a cocktail as it would have tasted circa-1820. This is a true cocktail, not that stuff you barely remember from the frat days. As such: water, sweet, sour, spice, and strong. Michter's Rye Whiskey, Orange, Orange Bitters, Club Soda, & Simple Syrup Bellini So there you are at Harry’s bar in Venice hanging out with Ernest Hemingway, Sinclair Lewis, and Orson Welles, and you want to try and fit in with that crowd—here’s your ticket. Can be made with raspberry upon request. Champagne & Peach Puree The BBC Standard Sidecar This is the first cocktail we tested on the beta version of the list, and it has been wildly popular with our regulars. We put our own twist on this classic, but try one and you will be hooked. I promise. Courvoisier VS Cognac, Cointreau, & Lemon Bloody Mary The origin of this drink is disputed, but it is not disputed that in 1934 it became a spicy drink and not just tomato and vodka. The spicy part is our inspiration; hold onto your taste buds. We start with a Russian Pepper Vodka, and the rest is our secret. Caipirissima/Caipirinha The Caipirinha is Brazil’s national drink, and has been served there since, at least, the dawn of the 20th century. El Dorado 12 Rum/LeBlon Cachaça, Lime, & Simple Syrup Champagne Mojito Why mess with a good thing? Because champagne makes everything better. Bacardi Rum, Lime, Mint, Champagne, & Simple Syrup Cosmopolitan The legendary Dale DeGroff claims not to have really invented this drink, but he is being modest. There is a picture of him handing one of these to Madonna at the Rainbow Room in New York, and now everyone and their mother orders them. He taught me his personal recipe. Try one, it’ll be just one more thing you have in common with Madonna. We have a pomegranate version available by request. Snow Queen Vodka, Cointreau, Lime, & Cranberry Juice Daiquiri When thinking of Kennedy and Cuba, one thinks first of…the daiquiri! Cuba’s native drink and Kennedy’s favorite cocktail (and Hemingway’s as well). If you have never had a real daiquiri, treat yourself, this is a real drink and not some blended strawberry affair. Our recipe comes from the 1935 Bar La Floridita Cocktails. Try yours Hemingway style for a bit more (double the rum and with a hit of grapefruit juice). Bacardi Rum, Lime, & Simple Syrup The Definitive Lemon Drop This perennial classic originated at Henry Africa’s in San Francisco. The lemon drop became a favorite of yuppies, and now it can become a favorite of yours once more. We replace the sour mix with fresh ingredients. Kiev Vodka, Cointreau, Lemon, & Simple Syrup Dry Martini Why not slip out of those wet clothes and into a dry martini? The original mention of this classic is in Jerry Thomas’ guide as the "Martinez"-equal parts gin and vermouth with some orange bitters. You can try the regular martini, or the Martinez by request. Whitley Neill Gin/Lex Supreme Vodka & Noilly Prat Vermouth The Duke We pulled this one from the pages of the Café Royal Cocktail Book: Coronation Edition, published in honor of the coronation of King George VI. Another one of our champagne specialties, this drink hones in on the flavor of the champagne grapes and amplifies their sweetness. Drambuie, Orange, Lemon, Champagne & Simple Syrup Floridita This cocktail is inspired by the legendary Havana bar of the same name. They invented the daiquiri, but they chose this cocktail as their signature. Bacardi Rum, Noilly Prat Vermouth, Lime, Grenadine, & Crème de Cacao Frank Sullivan Frank Sullivan composed The New Yorker’s Christmas poem for fifty years. One more reason to drink! This cocktail is light, refreshing and oh so crisp. Courvoisier VS, Lillet, Lemon, & Gran Gala Gimlet Looking for a drink that also fends off the dreaded scurvy? Look no further. The enlisted men drink rum, officers drink gimlets. Whitley Neill Gin/Soyuz-Victan Supreme Vodka & Lime Ginger Sling Lovers of ginger rejoice. This is your drink—spicy and to the point. Kiev Vodka & Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur Gloom Chaser Harry Craddock, head barman at The Savoy in the 20s and 30s, is the inspiration for this cocktail, based on The Savoy Cocktail Book of 1930. This one lifts the clouds. Gran Gala, Chambord, Senor Curacao, & Lemon Golden Gate Another cocktail inspired by the 1920s Savoy menu. Rediscover the subtle side of gin. Gin and juice is, as Snoop suggests, a divine combination. No. 209 Gin, Gran Gala, Orange, & Lillet Infidelity Another one of our top beta list hits, this cocktail impresses. Strong and subtle, this is a winner. Zaya 12 Rum, Lime, Mint, Angostura Bitters, & Simple Syrup Irish Coffee Joseph Sheridan, head of what is now Shannon International Airport, invented this drink for passengers disembarking from a particularly stressful flight. United Airlines take note! The drink, while invented in Ireland, was made popular at the Buena Vista Café in San Francisco. Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey, Coffee, Whipped Cream, & Simple Syrup Lanesborough The Lanesborough Hotel sits on the site of the old 1733 St George Hospital. Salvatore Calabrese, who inspired this drink, says that, “a bartender is a doctor with the magic ability to cure all.” This gem will certainly take the edge off of what ails. Gran Gala, Pineapple, Cranberry, & Champagne London Cocktail This is a drink that tinkers about in several of the old cocktail guides, and we have added our own ginger twist. This is a subtly complex libation, and is suitable for the discriminating palate. North Shore Gin, Angostura Orange Bitters, Lemon, Obsello Absinthe, & Simple Syrup London Buck Another 1920s inspired treatment of gin that will surprise you. All the prohibition-era cocktail books make use, by necessity, of gin, but this is one of the paramount examples of the genre. You will have more than one. Blue Coat Gin, Lemon, Champagne, Ginger Beer, Lemon, & Simple Syrup Lucretia Borgia Do you like great drinks? Well, you are going to love this one. Chocolaty and sweet, but you still taste the juice. Vanilla Vodka, Kahlua, Milk, Chocolate, & Whipped Cream Mai Tai Originally served at Trader Vic’s in Oakland. This is not the pink frou-frou affair, but a real imbiber’s choice. Our Mai Tai recipe is secret. Manhattan You may be at a British bar, but do not let that stop you from savoring the flavors of the New World. We add some California Style Blood Orange Bitters to our recipe. Taste the difference. Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon, Noilly Prat Vermouth, & Stirrings Blood Orange Bitters Margarita No ice, not blended, and no umbrella here—this is a serious drink. Try the original. Named Esquire’s “Drink of the Month” for December 1953. Ask if you would like yours sweet. Hola. Hacienda de los Diaz Reposado Tequila, Gran Gala, & Lime Mint Julep Originally served in London bars, and probably with brandy at that, this is the drink the Kentucky Derby made famous—or, perhaps, the other way around. We substitute bourbon for brandy, using Jerry Thomas’ 1887 recipe. Basil Hayden Bourbon, Mint, & Simple Syrup The Most Dangerous Cocktail on the Menu We thank our friend Adam for introducing this Polish classic to the menu. It is hard to describe this drink except to say that is reminiscent of fresh apple juice and vanilla and goes down way, way too easily. Watch out. Zubrowka Bison Grass Vodka & Apple Juice Negroni/b> This drink was originally served to Count Negroni as a variation of his favorite drink, the “Americano.” This drink is our favorite, but Campari isn’t for everyone. Stand aside plebeians. DH Krahn Gin, Campari, & Noilly Prat Vermouth Old Fashioned One of the very first cocktails, we make our Old Fashioned the old fashioned way: no fruit unless requested. Sweet, Spice, & Spirit: that’s it, no bull___ in this classic. Maker's Mark Bourbon, Angostura Bitters, & Simple Syrup Péché Originel A delicious new addition to the menu, this treat is reminiscent of fresh-pressed apple cider. Calvados, Ginger Beer, Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur, & Dubonnet Pisco Sour This drink is not vegan. These unlikely ingredients produce an intensely delicious libation. Do not miss out on this one! Pisco Brandy, Lime, Egg, Lime, & Simple Syrup Red Satin Panties Help this new cocktail take off…er, that doesn’t come off so clean does it…er, just enjoy this cocktail. Peach Vodka, Lemon, Cranberry, & Simple Syrup Rob Roy Moe Szyslak claims to have invented this one, but this is highly unlikely. More likely, this was introduced at New York’s Fifth Avenue Bar in the 1890s, but in any case it is fun to say, “Hello, Moe’s Tavern, birthplace of the Rob Roy.” Chivas Regal 12, Noilly Prat Vermouth, & Angostura Bitters Rock & Rye In Jerry Thomas’ 1887 cocktail guide, he says that this drink “is often prescribed for a cold.” We want to go to his doctor! We prescribe this drink for delicious. Michter's Rye Whiskey, Lemon, & Simple Syrup Sazerac This is the oldest known American cocktail. It is still popular in New Orleans. If you would like a hit of cognac in your Sazerac, ask for a “Prescription Sazerac.” Ri1 Rye Whiskey, Le Tourment Vert Absinthe, Peychaud Bitters, & Simple Syrup Sinful One of the big hits from last year’s cocktail menu, this drink continues to please. This drink has a green pear flavor accentuated by a touch of citrus. Absolut Pear Vodka, 7up, & Lemon Stinger This little drink is simple and smooth and hits you like a ton of bricks. Jayne Mansfield’s favorite, so why not make it yours? Hennessy VS & Crème de Menthe Tom Collins “Have you seen Tom Collins?” He’s around the corner at the BBC. Try Tom, his cousin John, or the true original Genever variety. We use the professor’s, Jerry Thomas’, 1876 recipe, with or without the gum Arabic. Boodles Gin, Lemon, Club Soda, & Simple Syrup Whiskey Sour Don’t skip this one! This isn’t just that drink grandma used to put down, or the one that you feel embarrassed ordering for your buddy who doesn’t know his or her stuff. There is no gooey, icky, syrupy sour mix in this gem. This is the classic, it is delicious, and, as such, should be enjoyed. Bernheim Whiskey, Lemon, & Simple Syrup Bartender’s Special A different shot is conceived by your bartender at every shift change. Inquire with your server.