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Astoria

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (22)
Astoria image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 1⁄4 fl oz Hayman's Old Tom Gin (from freezer)
2 1⁄2 fl oz Strucchi Dry Vermouth (chilled)
2 dash Orange Bitters by Angostura

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

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How to make

Glassware

Serve in a Martini glass

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a MARTINI GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of lemon zest twist.

Method

  1. STIR all ingredients with ice.
  2. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

  1. EXPRESS lemon zest twist over the cocktail and use as garnish.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Astoria contains 166 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.6 standard drinks
  • 20.32% alc./vol. (40.65° proof)
  • 23 grams of pure alcohol

Allergens:

Recipe contains the following allergens:

Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

History

Recipe adapted from Albert Stevens Crockett's 1931 The Old Waldorf-Astoria Bar Book where the recipe is accompanied by the following notation, "After the big annex to the Old Waldorf, which at its opening, in 1897, became the main part of the establishment."

William Waldorf Astor built the original Waldorf Hotel, which opened in 1893, next door to his aunt's home, on the site of his father's mansion and today's Empire State Building. John Astor persuaded his aunt to move uptown and then built the Astor Hotel. The two hotels were connected, and the combined Waldorf-Astoria became the largest hotel in the world at the time.

ASTORIA
After the big annex to the old Waldorf, which at its opening, in 1897, became the main part of the establishment.
Two dashes Orange Bitters
One-third Tom Gin
Two-thirds French Vermuth
Stir

Albert Stevens Crockett, The Old Waldorf-Astoria Bar Book, 1931

More cocktails by Albert Stevens Crockett

Review

An Old Tom-based super wet (two-thirds vermouth to one-third gin) Martini with a slug of orange bitters and served with a twist.

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$1.67 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 20 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


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Gallery

Comments & Discussion

Dia V
It's an interesting drink, it feels like refreshing cold tea with vermouth and gin flavour, rather than a cocktail featuring both.
score: 1
Howard Griffin
A bit flaccid. Doesn’t warrant being called a Martini variation. (More like a vitiation.)
score: 1
John CARR Premium Member
Classic martini and herbal flavours, with an old fashioned play on the sweet-dry balance. I added a squeeze of lime juice, which surprisingly emphasised the more savoury characters in the gin and vermouth. Presented the right way, this is exactly the sort of wave that the cocktail renaissance should be riding. Full of flavour and featuring high quality ingredients. I used Hayman’s old Tom and Dolin dry. So simple, so beautiful.
score: 2
G. M. Genovese Premium Member
I tried this three ways... First, to the recipe above. Probably the best of the three. But not great up front, though its aftertaste I enjoyed... Next, 1:1. Trash... Last, 2:1; Old Tom-heavy. Worse... Old Tom in a Martinez is very nice, but not so with plain dry vermouth(?)... I used Ransom Old Tom and my trusty Noilly Prat. Just wasn't doing it for me. Too dry and bitter? Is a dash/splash of bianco in order? You tell me. (28 Dec 2023, 8:55a)
score: 1
John CARR Premium Member
I think you’re overthinking it. A simple recipe that is best used to highlight good quality ingredients. Keep it simple.
score: 1
Yaroslav Litvinov
Easy to make, easy to drink, very cool martini variation
score: 4

View 5 comments and discussion

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Difford’s Shop logo
$1.67 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 20 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

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