Join thousands of like-minded professionals and cocktail enthusiasts, receive our weekly newsletters and see pages produced by our community for fellow Discerning Drinkers.
Thanks, Frank. Was the South of the Border Martinez your creation? Perhaps a maraschino cherry for garnish in place of twists?
Hi Simon, I recorded an orange twist in my book, though the addition of a brandied cherry as well, certainly couldn't hurt.
Back then, we did not get calls for much tequila. It was an effort to offer and introduce it to our guests in a then novel way. Cheers!
With cocoa bitters (and without syrup), this was our 'South of the Border Martinez' which we served from 2009 or so at The Waldorf Astoria New York. (FYI)
Hi Simon,
A couple of fast things.
Just to confirm the source, the article citing the bar in The Bronx is from the NY Times on December 21st, 1921 (not Miami News, plucked off of the wire a few days later). As for the Philly connection, I've always felt that Mr. Sormani took his hometown cocktail with him down to Philly and laid claim to a popular cocktail. All in all, I tend to side with you and lean toward Curley O'Connor as the creator and Johnny Solan as the modifier, adding more juice and gin to the augmented Martini variation. Mr. O'Connor created more than a few that made the rotation in his day so I think it a safe bet that this was one as well.
Lastly, you might want to add the 'Maurice' to the alternates - a standard Bronx with a few dashes of Absinthe. One of my favorites and one that we offered on occasion at the hotel. Cheers!
Just an FYI folks.
This recipe is incorrectly listed in "1967 Cocktails and Mixed Drinks" by Charles Tuck, as a "Waldorf" cocktail.
Cheers!
What a heartfelt video, Simon. Very happy I watched it.
Thank you!
Agreed. I've reduced the gin and upped the orange juice - now a much better cocktail.
Hi Simon,
Originally found in 'Old Waldorf Bar Days' (1931)
One of my absolute favorites and an undervalued gem of the pre-pro era for sure.
Hi Simon,
The most famous moniker for this recipe is the 'Obituary', often connected to New Orleans, which has its own entry here.
In the Old Waldorf Astoria books, variations included the 'Ballantine', 'Third Degree" and "Fourth Degree". Ted Saucier even had one called "La Liberte". All worthy of a run through. I put them all under 'Ballantine' in my book. FYI. Cheers!
Hi Simon,
I've found that the addition of orange bitters adds the spine that it lacks without it. Also, in lieu of Blanc Vermouth as a Dry substitute, I've found that something off-center like Cocchi Americano fills that hole nicely as well (though I'd pull back on the bitters in that case).
All best,
Frank
