the classic cocktail

Yesterday was my birthday, and to celebrate, Andy took me out for a day of treats, shopping, a movie, dinner. . . and cocktails!  Those of you who have followed me here (or anywhere on social media) know that I'm a bit of a cocktail aficionado.  Connoisseur.  Fanatic.  Okay, I like booze!  Classic cocktails are my favorites, so naturally, I think classic vintage barware, cocktail dresses, and jewels are the best.  Here's a collection I made from (mostly) vintage items found on Etsy.

Prost!

1 / early 1900s sterling silver water pitcher / GentlemanlyPursuits

2 / Harvey Probber walnut bar cart / TheModernHistoric

3 / 1950s floral print cocktail dress / SwaneeGRACE

4 / 1950s sequined cocktail hat/headband / RoseleinRarities

5 / 1970s gold cocktail ring / NachoKitty

6 / Mexican Alpaca abalone cocktail forks / AdobeHouseVintage

7 / maple wood cocktail muddler / CattailsWoodwork

8 / early 1900s French seltzer bottle / Vintagefrenchlinens

9 / 1930s Czech beaded clutch / CalloohCallay

10 / set of 8 mid century roly poly cocktail glasses with carrier / AlegriaCollection

11 / silver plated lotus flower bowl/candle holder centerpiece / gazaboo

xo

K

the scofflaw

Yes, it's Monday morning here, but as they say--it's 5 o'clock somewhere!  Thus, I will not hesitate to share with you this, a classic cocktail borne out of Prohibition: the Scofflaw.  In 1923, the Anti-Saloon League offered a $200.00 prize to the person who coined the best term to describe "a lawless drinker of illegally made or illegally obtained liquor."  Two different people submitted the winning word:  scofflaw.  As you can guess, rather than becoming a term of shame, Prohibition drinkers embraced it, and almost immediately, a new drink christened the "Scofflaw Cocktail" was born at Harry's New York Bar in Paris.

If you like whiskey sours, you'll probably like the Scofflaw.  It's has a refreshing tang from lemon juice, and a pleasing sweetness and vivid pink color from grenadine.  The recipe I used comes from Bitters: A Spirited History of a Classic Cure-All by Brad Thomas Parsons.

*1 1/2 oz rye or Canadian whiskey

*1 oz dry vermouth

*3/4 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice

*3/4 oz grenadine

*1 dash orange bitters

*Garnish: orange twist (I used a lemon peel)

Combine all the ingredients except the garnish in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.  Shake until chilled and strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass.  Garnish with the orange twist (or lemon twist/peel).

Cheers!

xo

k