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Improved Whiskey Cocktail
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Improved Whiskey Cocktail
Serve in an Old-fashioned glass
| 1 oz | Straight rye whiskey (100 proof /50% alc./vol.) |
| 1 oz | Bourbon whiskey |
| 1⁄6 oz | Luxardo Maraschino liqueur |
| 1⁄12 oz | La Fée Parisienne absinthe |
| 1⁄6 oz | Gomme syrup |
| 1 dash | Boker's bitters |
How to make:
- Select and pre-chill an Old-fashioned glass.
- Prepare garnish of lemon zest twist.
- STIR all ingredients with ice.
- STRAIN into ice-filled glass (preferably over a large cube or chunk of block ice).
- EXPRESS lemon zest twist over the cocktail and use as garnish.
Strength & taste guide:
No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Review:
An Old-Fashioned "improved" by the addition of a little maraschino liqueur and absinthe.
History:
The Whiskey Cocktail, along with this Improved version appeared in Jerry Thomas's 1876 The Bar-tender's Guide. The book also includes "Improved" versions of the Brandy Cocktail, and Gin Cocktail which are all what we today call Old Fashioned cocktails. In the words of Jerry Thomas, they have been "improved by moistening the edge of the cocktail glass with a piece of lemon." Such "improved" American cocktails from the period are also distinguished by using European ingredients, particularly maraschino liqueur and/or absinthe.
109. Whiskey Cocktail.
Jerry Thomas, The Bar-tender's Guide, 1876
(Use small bar glass.)
3 or 4 dashes of gum syrup.
2 do. Bitters (Bogart's).
1 wine-glass of whiskey, and a piece of lemon peel.
Fill one-third full of fine ice; shake and strain in a fancy red wine-glass.
241. Improved Brandy Cocktail.
(Use ordinary bar glass.)
2 dashes Boker's (or Angostura) Bitters
3 do. gum syrup.
2 do. Maraschino.
1 dash Absinthe.
1 small piece of the yellow rind of a lemon, twisted to express the oil.
1 small wineglass of brandy.
Fill glass one-third full of shaved ice, shake well, and strain into a fancy cocktail glass.
The favor is improved by moistening the edge of the cocktail glass with a piece of lemon.
242. Improved Whiskey Cocktail.
Prepared in the same manner as the Improved Brandy Cocktail, by substituting whiskey for the brandy.
Alcohol content:
- 1.8 standard drinks
- 34.57% alc./vol. (34.57° proof)
- 25.2 grams of pure alcohol
- More Classic/vintage cocktails
- More Nightcap/sipping cocktails
- More Short & stirred cocktails
- More Spirit-forward cocktails
Difford’s Guide remains free-to-use thanks to the support of the brands in green above. Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.
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