Delmonico
While Delmonico’s as it was no longer exists, the Delmonico Cocktail (as well as its fellow No. 1 and No. 2) does, albeit being not frequently found in cocktail books. It makes no appearance in Boothby’s American Bar-tender (1891) or Kappeler’s Modern American Drinks (1895); the Old Waldorf-Astoria Bar Book (1935) defines it as a dash orange bitters, ½ French vermouth, ½ Plymouth gin, two slices orange peel and claims it was “adopted from the bar of Old Delmonico’s”.
The variations that we find in modern books offer up varying pours of Gin, Brandy, Dry and Sweet Vermouth, and Bitters. As a Vermouth drink, it can be placed around the late 1800s, probably about 1876 according to David Wondrich, who believes it originated at Delmonico’s Madison Square location. Wondrich’s version calls for 0.75 oz Gin and an orange twist; we’ve opted for the more commonly seen 1 oz Gin and a lemon twist.
- I like Orange Bitters in this one.
- Made it with an orange twist. This is a pleasant drink, an accessible example of the species, but a little generic.
- Rio Grande (1937) — Reposado Tequila, Old Tom Gin, Sweet vermouth, Chocolate bitters, Orange peel
- Miller's Crossing — Jamaican rum, Gin, Sweet vermouth, Herbal liqueur, Bitters, Orange peel
- Smoke and Mirrors (Teague) — Gin, Islay Scotch, Amontillado Sherry, Dry vermouth, Orange bitters, Orange peel
- Warday's Cocktail — Gin, Calvados, Sweet vermouth, Herbal liqueur
- Tombstone — Gin, Dry vermouth, Mezcal, Islay Scotch, Absinthe
