Thirsty Thursday: The Champagne Cocktail

Hello Vintage-istas!

We're back after an unplanned two-week hiatus. Sometimes, life has a way of moving incredibly slow for perceived periods of eternity and then suddenly piling a lifetime's worth of obligations on you over the period of a week! Well, back to the cocktails! For this Thirsty Thursday installment, we're concluding out champagne series with perhaps the oldest and simplest of champagne-inspired mixes: The Champagne Cocktail.

The "Champagne Cocktail" likely originated in the 19th century and largely has gone unchanged since. After all, it is difficult (and unnecessary) to alter something so simple as the Champagne Cocktail! Since then, it has made many pop culture appearances, including Casablanca! Here are our ingredients:

• 1 cube sugar
• 2 dashes Bitters
• Champagne or sparkling wine
• Lemon twist for garnish

Preparation: In a champagne flute, soak sugar cube in bitters and allow a moment to dissolve. Next, top off glass with chilled champagne or sparkling wine, garnish with a lemon twist, and enjoy!

Recommended accompaniment:

To accompany this drink, we recommend a tune straight from the film Casablanca to put you in the mood: "As Time Goes By," recorded here by Louis Armstrong and Nat King Cole.

Until next drink!

Jerron J.

Thirsty Thursday: The Champagne Julep

Hello Vintage-istas!

This week warmed up again in New England, so we're milking this warm weather summer feeling for all it's worth! Thinking of some of the most refreshing cocktails I know, the classic Champagne Julep immediately come to mind; let's take a look!

The "julep" is a family of cocktails which entails mixing a spirit with sugar, citrus, and some kind of herb or fruit via the process of muddling. Most commonly, juleps are made with mint leaves, hence the name of the most popular julep, the Mint Julep! The Mint Julep, which is the mainstay of the Kentucky Derby because of its inclusion of Kentucky Bourbon, is both the reigning king and grandfather of the julep family. Our version, the Champagne Julep, started to become especially popular throughout the Jazz Age, and hit its peak in the 1940s (think The Great Gatsby). Let's take a look at our ingredients:

• 1 tbsp simple syrup
• 7-8 mint leaves
• Splash of fresh lime juice
• Champagne, chilled
• Sprint of mint leaves for garnish

Preparation:

Begin by muddling mint leaves, simple syrup, and a splash of fresh lime juice in the bottom of a glass. Remember, you only need to muddle hard enough to release the oils from the mint leaves; we do not want to pulverize them into a pulp! Transfer muddled mixture into a Collins or cocktail glass of choice, add ice, top off with champagne, and garnish with a sprig of mint leaves for extra measure! It is important to note that you may need to use a bar spoon to effectively combine champagne with muddled ingredients. Oh, and don't forget to enjoy!

Recommended accompaniment:

For your listening pleasure, we recommend Milton Ager's "Ain't She Sweet." Featured in Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris, this song was originally released in 1927 and became one of the anthems of the "Roaring Twenties!" 

Until next week!

Jerron J.

Thirsty Thursday: The Classic Daiquiri

Hello Vintage-istas!

We're nearing the end of summer; school is around the corner and we can feel the days already starting to shorten! It's that time when you begin to desperately search for things to do and foods to eat that are so iconic they seem to actually stretch out these last waning weeks of summer. Because of this, we're bringing you a cocktail this week that screams summer on the beach in paradise: The Classic Daiquiri!

A "daiquiri" is actually a family of drinks which entails nearly any rum-based concoction mixed with citrus juice and some kind of sweetener. Order a daiquiri in a bar today and you're likely to get something like a strawberry daiquiri, a mix resembling more of a glorified sugar slushie than a cocktail, but traditionally this drink is sweet and simple. In it's original form, the cocktail likely originated in Havana around the turn of the 20th century and is best when made with uncomplicated and fresh ingredients:

• 2oz light rum
• 1oz lime juice
• .5oz simple syrup

 
Preparation:

In a shaker, combine rum, freshly squeezed lime juice and simple syrup (or a couple teaspoons of sugar) and shake vigorously until ice crystals begin to form on exterior of shaker. Then, strain into a cocktail glass and, if desired, garnish with a lime wedge!

Recommended accompaniment:

To accompany your drink, we recommend the Cuban "Queen of Bolero" Olga Guillot, singing "Qué sabes tú." Olga's sultry voice and distinct style made her a sensation in the Latin American music throughout much of the mid 20th century, making for a uniquely authentic accompaniment to your Classic Daiquiri!

Until next drink,

Jerron J.