Episode 59: Rob Roy

  • 1 1/2 ounce blended scotch whiskey

  • 1 ounce sweet vermouth

  • 2 dashes aromatic bitters (angostura)

  • Orange twist

  • Brandied or Luxardo cherry

Combine scotch, vermouth, and bitters in a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir until well chilled and strain into a cocktail glass. Twist a piece of orange peel over the glass to express the oils, and serve neat with a cocktail cherry.

Rob Roy

A Rob Roy cocktail is basically just a Manhattan made with Scotch whiskey in place of bourbon or rye. It was named after an operetta that told the story of a great Scottish folk hero who supported the poor. Robert Roy MacGregor was a 17th century outlaw often cited as a sort of Scottish Robin Hood who led battles against noblemen in the Highlands. The operetta, titled Rob Roy, debuted in New York City in 1894, and a bartender at the nearby former Waldorf Astoria Hotel, on the site where the empire state building stands today, created the cocktail for opening night and to publicize the play.

Some cocktail historians however claim that the Rob Roy was actually invented at another luxury hotel, the Fifth Avenue Hotel, down by Madison Square.

In recent years however, cocktail historian David Wondrich has found evidence that a bartender named Henry A. Orphal actually created the Rob Roy while working in Hoboken, N.J, around 1895. A blended Scotch whisky salesman came in wanting a Manhattan, but according to his own company’s policy, he wasn’t allowed to drink anything not containing his own whisky. Orphal’s solution was to swap in 2 ounces of Scotch alongside the sweet vermouth and Angostura bitters.

Episode 17: The Martinez

  • 2 oz Old Tom Gin

  • 1 oz Sweet Vermouth

  • ¼ oz Maraschino Liqueur (we used Luxardo)

  • 2 dashes aromatic bitters

  • Orange or lemon twist for garnish

Combine all ingredients (other than garnish) in a mixing glass. Add plenty of ice and stir well to chill. Strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass and garnish.

martinez

The Martinez cocktail is considered to be the precursor to the modern Martini. It was originally created as a gin-based spin on the Manhattan, and it tastes much more like a Manhattan than a Martini.

Old Tom gin is best to use because it has a sweeter and richer flavor than London dry gin and pairs better with the sweet vermouth and luxardo liqueur.

There is some debate about the cocktail’s origins, but most people agree it was invented in the 1880s in Northern California.
Some say Jerry Thomas invented the drink in San Francisco for a customer who was traveling to Martinez California. His recipe wasn’t officially published until 1887 though, so the cocktail is often credited to another famous barman named O. H. Byron. His recipe for the Martinez was published in 1884 with the simple instructions, "Same as Manhattan, only you substitute gin for whisky."
The city of Martinez however, claims that another local bartender invented the drink there.

Episode 8 - Classic Manhattan

  • 2 ounces rye whiskey (or bourbon if preferred)

  • 1 ounce sweet vermouth

  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters

  • Luxardo maraschino cherries, for garnish

Combine whiskey, vermouth, & bitters with plenty of ice in a mixing glass. Stir well until frosty cold and strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with maraschino cherries.

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Interesting fact: History suggests that the Manhattan cocktail was created at the Manhattan Club in New York City in the early 1870s, specifically for a banquet in honor of presidential candidate Samuel J. Tilden. The success of the banquet is said to have made the drink fashionable.

However, there are prior references to similar cocktail recipes called "Manhattan" and served in the New York City area. One account says it may have been invented in the 1860s at a bar on Broadway near Houston Street.