With the release of the remake of the Great Gatsby, the popularity of that era seems to intoxicate us. The clothing, the art, the literature, the music and of course, the cocktails. But what were they drinking once prohibition was passed?
The quality of liquor suffered and shifted from whiskey to home made gin manufactured in bathtubs. Gin was easier to produce and required little aging, but was considered an inferior liquor. Referred to as "Coffin Varnish" the nasty taste was masked with honey and added fruit juices. The juices made it easy to drink quickly in case of a raid.
Fitzgerald's preferred drink was gin. It must have been the "cat's-meow" to drink "giggle water" or "hootch" either at a "juice joint" or on a warm summer night at a party on the North Shore of Long Island.
Here are a few original cocktails that you can make at home for your own Gatsby-style get together.
Gin Rickey Recipe:
2 oz. gin
3/4 oz lime juice
top with club soda
Lime wheel
Pour gin and lime juice into a chilled highball glass filled with ice cubes. Top with club soda, and stir gently. Garnish with lime wheel. Serve with two straws.
Long Island Iced Tea (A good way to disguise the hootch) invented in the Hamptons:
1⁄2 oz. gin 1⁄2 oz. vodka 1⁄2 oz. tequila 1⁄2 oz. light rum 1⁄2 oz. Cointreau 3⁄4 oz. lemon juice Top with cola Lemon wedge Top with cola Lemon wedge
Pour all ingredients except cola and garnish into a cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes. Shake, and then strain into a Collins glass filled with ice cubes. Add cola until color of tea. Garnish with lemon wedge. Serve with two straws.
And one of Ernest Hemingway's favorites - Mojitos:
6 fresh mint sprigs 1 oz. lime juice 3/4 oz. simple syrup 2 oz. light rum Lime wedge Crush 5 mint sprigs into the bottom of a chilled highball glass. Pour in lime juice, simple syrup, and rum. Fill glass with crushed ice. Garnish with lime wedge and remaining mint sprig. Sometimes a splash of club soda is added.
Remember "dip your bill" responsibly and never drink and drive.
