James Harrington avatar
James Harrington

James Harrington

  • Conversation Starter #435
James Harrington

I don't think I buy that 13.56 ml of 1:1 results in the same sweetness as 10 ml of 2:1, unless I'm totally missing something. The reason is that no matter the brix sweetness of the syrups undiluted, the sweetness after dilution into the cocktail will depend on the number of sugar molecules per ounce in the cocktail. Using twice the volume of 1:1 gives an equal number of molecules per ounce in the cocktail as half that volume of 2:1, so it should have exactly the same sweetness in the cocktail.

James Harrington

But I think maybe I have to vote down my own comment! I didn't take into account that 2:1 doesn't automatically mean the concentration is twice as great! I bet 2 cups sugar + 1 of water gives greater volume than 1 cup sugar + 1 of water, so you have to add less 1:1 to get the same sweetness as you would think. If "brix" is actually a direct measure of sugar concentration, then the 13.57 ml equivalency would make sense!

James Harrington

I don't think I buy that 13.56 ml of 1:1 results in the same sweetness as 10 ml of 2:1, unless I'm totally missing something. The reason is that no matter the brix sweetness of the syrups undiluted, the sweetness after dilution into the cocktail will depend on the number of sugar molecules per ounce in the cocktail. Using twice the volume of 1:1 gives an equal number of molecules per ounce in the cocktail as half that volume of 2:1, so it should have exactly the same sweetness in the cocktail.

Applejack Rabbit
15 Comments
James Harrington

Also in Trader Vic's Bartender's Guide, revised, copyring 1947, 1972: Jack Rabbit Cocktail - 1 oz applejack, 1/2 oz maple syrup, 1/2 tsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp teaspoon orange juice. Pretty tasty, but maybe too sweet.

Harry Johnson's birthday
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James Harrington

What a great salute to a pioneer of mixology! I can't picture what 1845 konigsberg was like but it's a sure thing it would be a far cry from San Francisco. To go from mid-1800's Prussia to San Francisco and make a name for one's self in a way that affects and brings some measure of pleasure to so many - I am glad to honor the moment of remembrance.

James Harrington

I wonder if one would achieve almost the same result using some measured amount of herbsaint or anisette instead of liquorice vodka. I don't think I could justify buying a whole bottle of liquorice vodka just to satisfy my curiosity about what this drink tastes like. A bar might if they could hype this cocktail. I don't know what liquorice vodka has going for it over other liquorice-flavored liquors.