Thirsty Thursday: The Raspberry Rickey

Hello Vintage-istas!

This week we're bringing you a fruity version of a cocktail whose history dates back to the 1880s. "The Raspberry Rickey" is sure to help cool you down on these hot July evenings...or afternoons! Who are we here at The Vintage Chanteuse to judge?

The "Rickey" is a drink which originated in its traditional form in Washington D.C., likely named after Democratic lobbyist Colonel Joe Rickey. Originally, this cocktail's base spirit was bourbon, but as Americans eventually began to overcome their fear of the red coats, gin became a widely popular American spirit and people began to substitute gin instead of bourbon! Nowadays (as is often the case with gin-based cocktails), vodka may also be substituted, as it is here. First up, our ingredients:

• 1.5 oz vodka
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• .5 oz Chambord raspberry liqueur
• Soda water
• A few raspberries
• A lime wedge, for granish

Preparation: Begin by muddling raspberries in bottom of highball glass. Next, add ice, along with remaining ingredients and stir gently until raspberry pulp mixes thoroughly. Finally, garnish with a couple of whole raspberries and a lime wedge, and enjoy!

Recommended Accompaniment:

 

  
The "Rickey" makes countless pop culture appearances, perhaps most notably in The Great Gatsby and in the opening lines of the timeless Glenn Miller tune "Jukebox Saturday Night!" Now sit back, relax, and allow yourself to be transported to another period in history on a hot summer's day!

Salut!

The Vintage Chanteuse

Style Scenario: Film Noir Murder Mystery Party

This week's Style Scenario takes us to a Film Noir party! Here's your guide to both his and her outfits which are sure to crack the case without even smudging your lipstick.

For Her:

The perfect Femme Fatale should be outfitted in a beautiful gown. This 1930's bias-cut silk velvet gown is highlighted with beautiful rhinestone dress clips. Dresses like this were designed to show the sultry curves of a woman's body. Don't have a vintage 1930's gown? Go for a dark colored long gown and don't skimp on the costume jewelry. The more glitz the better!

Top off your outfit with gorgeous pearl or rhinestone earrings, vintage fur wrap, sparkly heels, and of course an embellished cigarette case!

For Him:

Think Dana Andrews in Laura! A doubled breasted pinstripe suit with a stetson hat tipped to the side brings out his inner detective! During this period, suit lapels became extra large as a way of making men's shoulders appear extra broad, so be certain to match the width of the tie appropriately!

Lastly, men used to accessorize almost as much as women! Accompany his ensemble with a pocket square, scarf, collar bar, and a smart dame!

Now as with any Film Noir party, be sure to accompany your outfit with a great cocktail, some red lipstick, and a great detective alias!

Salut!

The Vintage Chanteuse

Thirsty Thursday: Brandy Stinger

Hello Vintage-istas,

Summer is really starting to heat up outside, so this week we're bringing you a cocktail that ought to help relieve a bit of summer's sting: the Brandy Stinger!

While this drink's exact origin is not clear, it has been around for nearly a century and really took off after the prohibition, being featured in such films as The Bishop's Wife with Cary Grant and High Society with Frank Sinatra, Grace Kelly and Bing Crosby!

As is nearly always the case with classic cocktails, simple is better. Let's take a look at this cocktail's bones:

• 2 parts brandy or cognac
• 1 part white crème de menthe
• Mint leaves for garnish (optional)

Preparation:

In a shaker, pour brandy and crème de menthe over ice and shake vigorously until ice crystals begin to form around shaker's exterior. Then, strain into cocktail glass and enjoy. This drink does not traditionally require a garnish, but a sprig of mint leaves adorning the edge of a glass never hurts!

Recommended accompaniment:

To accompany this drink, we highly recommend this highlight from Cole Porter's High Society, here featuring Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong on "Now You Has Jazz!"

Salut!

The Vintage Chanteuse

Thirsty Thursday: Scarlett O'Hara

Hello Vintage-istas,

We're taking a trip to Hollywood for this week's Thirsty Thursday by visiting a cocktail named after a character played by one of the 20th-century's most beloved silver screen starlets: The Scarlett O'Hara!

This drink's namesake comes from the lead character of one of the most successful films ever: Gone With the Wind's Scarlett O'Hara, played by Vivien Leigh.

While you can find cocktail names today that are long, clever, wacky, and even hysterical, early mixology prided itself in creating drinks and monikers that were simple and to the point. Thus, having a popular cocktail named after you was surely a highly flattering compliment and speaks to Vivien Leigh's forever-immortalized position within America's popular culture. The drink, like Scarlett, has a sweet and refreshing beauty to it. This cocktail even sports a luscious red hue a la Miss O'Hara's most famous dress in Gone With the Wind!

 

So, now that we have a bit of the history, let's get right into the nitty gritty of this sweet and refreshing drink:

• 2 oz Southern Comfort
• Cranberry Juice
• Splash of lime juice
• Splash of club soda (optional)
• Lime twist for garnish

Preparation:
In a highball filled with ice, pour two ounces of Southern Comfort. Next, top of glass with cranberry juice and a splash of lime. If desired, this cocktail has often traditionally included a splash of club soda for a little added spritz. Finally, stir gently and garnish with a twist of lime and enjoy!

Recommended accompaniment:

For some musical accompaniment, we recommend Glenn Miller's arrangement of a silver screen serenade released the exact same year as Gone With the Wind that quickly became one of the most famous songs in America, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."

Salut!

The Vintage Chanteuse