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Firpo's Balloon Cocktail

1 1⁄2 oz Rye
1 1⁄2 oz Sweet vermouth
1 1⁄2 oz Absinthe, Pernod
2 ds Orange bitters (sub Angostura)
Instructions

Shake well. Serve in a coupe.

"Firpo's, popular restaurant in downtown Calcutta, 1944."
The Digital South Asia Library
Yields Drink
Authenticity
Unknown
Creator
Firpo's Restaurant, Calcutta, India
Source reference

The Gentleman's Companion vol 2, Charles H. Baker (1939)

Curator rating
Not yet rated
Average rating
2.5 stars
(2 ratings)
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Balaklava Special No. 2

1 1⁄2 oz Kummel
3⁄4 oz Absinthe
3⁄4 oz Cognac
3⁄4 oz Kirschwasser
1⁄2 t Orgeat
1 t Heavy cream (up to 1 1/2 tsp)
Instructions

Shake briskly and serve in a tell stemmed cocktail glass.

Notes

"And for heaven's sweet sake don't think this snake-in-the grass drink is a harmless and gentle lady's affair just because it has cream in it."
Balaklava Special No. 1 - Equal Parts Kummel and Cognac served with crushed ice in a wine glass.

History

"Dedicated to the spot made famous by the charge of the Light Brigade which was a spectacular, tragic and rather unnecessary military gesture."

Yields Drink
Authenticity
Unknown
Creator
Served by Caption Ferguson, shipmate around the world in 1926, & late of his Majesty's Bengal Lancers, one time stationed in the Punjab, Northern India.
Source reference

The Gentleman's Companion vol 2 by Charles H. Baker (1939)

Curator rating
Not yet rated
Average rating
Not yet rated
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Ragtime

1 oz Aperol
1 dr Absinthe (to coat the mixing glass - see comments)
1 twst Orange peel (as garnish)
Instructions

Stir, strain into a chilled glass, garnish.

Picture of Ragtime
©Photo courtesy Raines Law Room
Yields Drink
Year
2012
Authenticity
Authentic recipe
Creator
Jeremy James Thompson, Raines Law Room, New York City
Curator rating
Not yet rated
Average rating
4 stars
(26 ratings)
From other users
  • High-proof rye effectively masked by candy flavors. Lovely nose. — ★★★★
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Zachary Pearson commented on 5/08/2015:

Curated this. Removed note and rewrote instructions to avoid copyright issues. Clarified instructions to match our guidelines to the cited link. Thanks,  Zachary


Craig E commented on 5/11/2015:

Looks to me like the referenced recipe calls for one *drop*, rather than one dash, of absinthe, to rinse the mixing glass.

That's the alternative given to misting the mixing glass with absinthe. 

(As an aside, I don't quite get the point of doing such a rinse on the mixing vessel.)


Zachary Pearson commented on 5/11/2015:

I suppose it depends on what your definition of a drop is - I can't see how a drop of anything would coat the inside of a mixing glass (or be noticeable through an ounce of spirit and an ounce of amaro). From what I can tell, 6 drops = 1 dash, though a dash isn't a very specific sort of measurement.  Thanks,  Zachary


lesliec commented on 5/12/2015:

It is an odd instruction.  Tried the drink last night with a mist of absinthe in the serving glass and I still think it got lost.  Not a bad drink overall, through.


Cara A commented on 12/30/2022:

After reading other comments, I mixed this with a bar spoon of absinthe. Excellent— aromatic and very flavorful. The hints of cocoa from the Ramazzotti are extra delicious ⭐️


Red Eyen

3⁄4 oz Rye, Wild Turkey
3⁄4 oz Aperol
2 bsp Simple syrup (Infused - see note)
1 bsp Herbal liqueur, Green Chartreuse
Instructions

Stir on good ice, strain and smile.
Very well enjoyed from a wineglass or an ample sized (not too large) snifter.

Notes

To make the infused simple syrup, take 1 part each sugar, water and either raspberries or blackberries. Bring to a boil and strain, pressing on the fruit to extract the liquid.

Picture of Red Eyen
2011 Kindred Cocktails
Yields Drink
Authenticity
Your original creation
Creator
David Porcaro, Oakland Art Novelty Company, Ferndale, MI (N. of Detroit)
Curator rating
Not yet rated
Average rating
5 stars
(2 ratings)
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Dan commented on 2/22/2012:

Curated slightly to clean up the capitalization. I don't know what <1:1:1> means for the syrup. Do you mean 1:1:1 water, sugar, and fruit?

Also, this drink sounds extremely sweet, even for a dessert drink. Aperol by itself is quite sweet, and 1:1 with the rye, adding 1/3 oz of syrup seems like a lot, no?


Zachary Pearson commented on 2/22/2012:

Cleaned up the syrup - I'm assuming you meant equal parts sugar, water and fruit. Moved instructions for the syrup to Notes. Oh, and should this be "Red Eye" instead of "Red Eyen"?

Thanks,

Zachary


purple gangsters commented on 2/24/2012:

red eyen is a synonym for alcohol or cock-tail. id like to hear what you think of it upon tasting. thanks again for the cocktail theory essay. making the lactart "agnostic monk" was a direct result of those readings. cheers


purple gangsters commented on 2/24/2012:

its a bit sweet.. also a bit bitter on the finish.... im not in love with peychauds for this but its more pleasing than my other on hand options. i actually literally ordered three more types of bitters yesterday just because of this beverage. but extremely sweet? no


Zachary Pearson commented on 2/24/2012:

I've got to pick up raspberries, but I think I'll try it this weekend. Interestingly enough, I picked up Lactart this week because of your drink - it's interesting stuff.

Thanks,

Zachary


purple gangsters commented on 3/03/2012:

the lactart is TONS of fun to play with, i am so glad you got it! i cant tell you how amused i was at first tasting the stuff..... i kept turning it over and over in my mind.... flavorless acidity... the possibilities! thank you again and again for your articles... honestly they were the direct inspiration for the drink i made with that substance. try it on a nice anejo margerita and watch how beautifully the flavor of the tequilla comes out without the lime. a half dash at a time and taste taste taste as you add. its so exciting to me watching flavors meld apart and back together when making drinks. its so much more fun than cooking! cheers!


Harlem Renaissance

Instructions

Stir ingredients with ice, strain into rocks glass with one large cube. Using an atomizer, spray Grand Marnier mist into a flame held above the rim of the glass to coat the surface of the drink with Grand Marnier Fire. No Garnish.

Picture of Harlem Renaissance
2011 Kindred Cocktails
Yields Drink
Authenticity
Your original creation
Creator
Adrianne Martin, The Oakland Art Novelty Company
Curator rating
Not yet rated
Average rating
3.5 stars
(3 ratings)
From other users
  • Very tasty.
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Dan commented on 2/22/2012:

Now <strong>that</strong> is a cocktail photo! Sounds good, although I'd be tempted to use dry vermouth or a mix.


Aunt Emily

3⁄4 oz Calvados
3⁄4 oz Gin
3⁄4 oz Orange juice
1 ds Grenadine (for color)
Instructions

Shake hard, serve up.

Yields Drink
Authenticity
Authentic recipe
Creator
Created at Sloppy Joe's Cafe, Havana (years before it became the watering hole for every itinerant American in Cuba)
Source reference

The Gentleman's Companion, vol. 2, Charles H. Baker (1939)

Curator rating
Not yet rated
Average rating
3 stars
(1 rating)
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Dan commented on 2/20/2012:

Curated slightly. I removed dry from gin because gin is assumed to be dry (contrast to Genever or Old Tom Gin). I also removed dry from Apricot Liqueur" and replaced it with Dry Apricot Brandy. I think this is the ingredient that you mean -- aged distilled fermented apricot juice -- rather than a neutral spirit of some sort, flavored with apricot (apricot liqueur). I'm I'm in error, feel free to change it back.


lewisk commented on 5/04/2012:

Finally got around to trying this and followed Charles H. Baker's admonition to use DRY apricot brandy as opposed to something like Brizard Apry. I used the Blume Marillen, Laird's Bonded Apple Brandy, Beefeater and my own grenadine. The drink is actually delicious (not a given with Charles H.) and very dry with an elusive taste. As you sip, the apple just begins to intrude and then is gently but firmly pushed aside by the botanicals of he gin while the orange hovers around providing a bass line. It's a good drink!

Keith


Athol Brose No. 1

1 oz Highland Scotch
1 oz Honey
1 oz Cream
Instructions

Mix well, warm slightly to make smooth. Then cool and sample. Traditionally drank cold. Though there are rumors afoot that it is good also warm.

Notes

Never boil cream or milk. "Milk boiled is milk spoiled" runs the Scottish proverb.

History

Apparently a traditional Scottish potation.

Yields Drink
Year
1939
Authenticity
Unknown
Creator
Some unknown saint from the Scottish 'Heilands.'
Source reference

The Gentleman's Companion, vol. 2, Charles H. Baker, jr. (1939)

Curator rating
Not yet rated
Average rating
1 star
(1 rating)
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Dan commented on 2/20/2012:

Curated slightly by changing to the Highland scotch ingredient. I removed (good) from the comments because all our ingredient are assumed to be good. I also changes parts to oz to size the drink reasonably.

That said, I question whether this would be drinkable with a 33% honey unless used to suppress a cough, which perhaps I feel coming on. ;)


Astor Hotel Special

1 1⁄2 oz Cognac
3⁄4 oz Absinthe
1⁄2 t Lemon juice
1 oz Club soda
Instructions

Shake well with cracked ice, strain into a tall wine goblet, then top off with just a little chilled soda.

Yields Drink
Year
1920
Authenticity
Unknown
Creator
Astor Hotel, Shanghai (1920's)
Source reference

The Gentleman's Companion, vol 2, Charles H. Baker, Jr. (1939)

Curator rating
Not yet rated
Average rating
3 stars
(6 ratings)
From other users
  • Used: 2 oz Cognac 0.75 oz Lemon Juice 0.75 oz Maraschino Liquor 1 Egg White Absinthe Rinse — ★★★
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Antrim Cocktail

1 oz Cognac
1 oz Port
1⁄2 t Sugar
Instructions

Shake with lots of cracked ice and serve in a Manhattan glass.

Yields Drink
Year
1925
Authenticity
Unknown
Creator
"Monk" Antrim in Manila around 1925
Source reference

The Gentleman's Companion, vol 2. Charles H. Baker, Jr. (1939)

Curator rating
Not yet rated
Average rating
3 stars
(1 rating)
From other users
  • Tried without and with sugar and preferred with. Orange bitters would seem a good addition.
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Dan commented on 2/20/2012:

I wonder what sort of port was intended. I can't imagine the motivation for adding sugar to a drink that is already half port.


muntjak commented on 8/24/2018:

From Punch: Seeking a more consistent mouthfeel and flavor, Brooklyn bartender Selma Slabiak introduces orange bitters, gomme syrup and a lemon twist to the proceedings.

1 ounce Cognac, preferably Pierre Ferrand 1840

1 ounce tawny port

2 dashes orange bitters, preferably Regans'

1 barspoon gomme syrup (see Editor's Note) 

Garnish: lemon peel


Amer Picon "Pouffle" Fizz

1 1⁄2 oz Amer Picon
1 oz Grenadine (or a little less)
2 oz Club soda (Top)
1⁄4 t Bitters, Angostura
Instructions

Shake Amer Picon, Egg White and Grenedine, pour into an ice filled 'goblet' top off with club soda. Add angostura and stir.

Yields Drink
Authenticity
Unknown
Creator
Recipe was in a Bar-Log of an editor staying on the French Rivera
Source reference

The Gentleman's Companion, vol. 2 by Charles H. Baker, Jr. (1939)

Curator rating
Not yet rated
Average rating
4.5 stars
(3 ratings)
From other users
  • Used Liber grenadine; will probably use 1.25 oz next time. Sweet and sippable.
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Dan commented on 2/20/2012:

Quite interesting because of its large amount of bitters. This is another of a small number of drinks from this era using it in more-than-a-dash quantities.


noksagt commented on 12/30/2016:

This is pretty tasty.

Note (re. the previous ~5 yr-old comment) that 1/4 tsp is actually less than 2 modern dashes of the product.