What should I do with…?

So, you’ve tried a few of the cocktails we’ve recommended. Some you liked, some were not your favorites. Now you’re wondering what to do with that bottle of Campari (it wasn’t cheap), the sweet vermouth and the array of bitters in your growing collection of spirits. We’ve got you covered with a few new (old) cocktails to try. And, they come with some interesting stories, too.

Drinks of the Week

This first drink is the sibling or close cousin of the Martinez (gin, vermouth, maraschino liqueur and bitters) and a Martini (gin and vermouth). The Turf Club Cocktail was named for the gentleman’s clubs of the late 1880’s and early 1900’s which were operated to provide a combined restaurant, bar, meeting place and gambling house for gentlemen of the time.

One of the most popular gentleman’s clubs in New York circa 1900 located at the corner of Madison Avenue & 26th Street was The Turf Club. It is certain the fine gentlemen who frequented this club enjoyed their version of The Turf Club Cocktail.

This cocktail literally has a pedigree, a lineage of sorts. It has evolved over the years with contributions by a number of well known bartenders. Recipes have been included in many publications used by mixologists and bartenders alike. Slightly different versions appeared in many books over the years from How to Mix Drinks, Bar Keeper’s Handbook (1884) by George Winter to one of the most famous (and still available) cocktail compendiums; Harry Craddock’s, The Savoy Cocktail Book (1930).

But all of the versions contain gin, sweet vermouth and some combination of bitters. The version I tried was a modern adaptation. Give it a try. ~~Kay

TURF CLUB COCKTAIL

2 oz “Hayman’s Old Tom” Gin

1oz Sweet Vermouth

3 dashes orange bitters

3 dashes angostura bitters

Glass: Small chilled coupe

Garnish: Olive

Combine all ingredients in a shaker, add ice and stir (do not shake; you don’t want to dilute this cocktail by shaking). Strain into a chilled coupe and drop in a large olive.

 

I’m going to give you a couple of uses for Campari. It seems to be gaining in popularity these days, think Negroni, but there are several interesting cocktails I discovered that use Campari which is an Italian liqueur traditionally consumed before meals as an apéritif. (Interesting article on Campari vs Aperol). I ran across the reference to the first drink a few times in a couple of days, so I figured I should share it.

The Old Pal

• 1 1/2 ounces bourbon or rye whiskey
• 3/4 ounce dry vermouth
• 3/4 ounce Campari
• Garnish: lemon twist

Put ingredients into a mixing glass filled 2/3 full with ice. Stir for about 20 seconds until cold. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Twist a piece of lemon peel over the glass and use a garnish

This drink is reminiscent of a Manhattan but with more of a bitter taste. The bitterness is similar to grapefruit.

I couldn’t resist sharing this second drink. It’s called an Americano—no, not the coffee drink you order at Starbucks. According to the blog Spruce Eats, the Americano originated in the 1860s at Gaspare Campari’s bar in Milan, Italy. (https://www.thespruceeats.com/americano-cocktail-recipe-759279). The story I loved was that it was also the first cocktail mentioned in Ian Fleming’s James Bond novel, Casino Royale. It was James Bond’s go-to cocktail in sunny sidewalk cafes but the Vesper Martini (shaken not stirred) became the cocktail recognized the world over as 007’s drink. ~~Lynda

Americano

• 1 1/2 ounces Campari
• 1 1/2 ounces sweet vermouth
• 3 ounces soda water (or club soda, as needed to fill glass)
• Garnish: ​lemon twist or orange slice

Pour Campari and sweet vermouth into an old-fashioned or highball glass (depending on how strong you’d like the drink), add ice cubes and top off with club soda. Enjoy!

This was a nice, refreshing drink. The perfect apéritif.

Enjoy the cocktails this week. Thanks for reading. This is October so keep an eye on the blog for some spooky happenings and maybe a beer or two. Be sure to let us know if you have any special requests. We love research!

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