Derby Cocktail
Ingredients
- 5 fresh Mint leaves
- 2 oz Tanqueray London Dry Gin
- 2 dash Peach bitters
- 1⁄12 oz Sugar syrup 'rich' (2 sugar to 1 water, 65.0°Brix) optional
- 1⁄3 oz Chilled water optional
Method
Glassware:
Serve in a Martini glass
Method:
Lightly MUDDLE mint (just to bruise) in base of stirring glass. Add other ingredients, STIR with ice and fine strain into chilled glass.
History:
Adapted from Harry MacElhone's 1926 Harry's ABC of Mixing Cocktails where Harry credits this cocktail to "E. G. de Gastreaux of Canal and Vine Streets, Cincinnati, 1903." Harry also says to "Serve with an olive" but this this accoutrement is omitted when the Derby Cocktail later reappears in Harry Craddock's 1930 The Savoy Cocktail Book.
Review:
This Martini-style classic was originally devoid of sugar syrup but the hint of sweetness mellows the gin and balances the bitters. Alternatively, use Old Tom gin and omit sugar. The splash of chilled water in our recipe helps open and stretch this cocktail.
