One nice thing about wintertime is that citrus is pretty cheap. While I can't compete with the lucky-dog co-authors of this site that have lemon trees in their backyard (and they know who they are), lemons at my local grocery store are currently running about 15-20 cents each, and good juice oranges can seemingly be had for the asking.
And of course, this state of affairs is ultimately pleasing to the cocktail-head, as tons of cocktails make use of citrus in its varied forms. The plump oranges I just picked up inspired me to go in a direction I don't usually go, and led me to the Bronx (or at least its eponymous cocktail.)
The Bronx was a child of Manhattan, actually: invented at the Waldorf-Astoria (the old location, where the Empire State Building is now) by ace bartender Johnnie Solan, who lived in the Bronx and came up with the drink's name a couple days after a visit to the Bronx Zoo. A Perfect Martini -- i.e., a Martini with equal parts sweet and dry vermouth -- with the addition of orange juice, the Bronx is "clean, simple, and very, very refreshing." I agree with Wondrich, though, and think I'd like it better if it were a little less Arctic and a little more sweltering outside. Bronx, we'll meet again in June.
The Bronx Cocktail
- 2 oz. gin
- 1/2 oz. sweet vermouth
- 1/2 oz. dry vermouth
- dash orange bitters
- 1 oz. orange juice
Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a twist of orange peel.
sounds refreshing!
Posted by: cailen | January 26, 2011 at 04:00 PM
The Bronx Cocktail is one of my all time favorites.
Posted by: Josh | January 29, 2011 at 08:39 AM
I've been living in Guatemala for the past month and the fresh fruit is incredible. Even better than being able to get a couple kilos of oranges for next to nothing, for less than $2 US, I can 2 liters of freshly squeezed orange juice. Fresh from the oranges and into the reused coke bottle. They make good mixers with cheap rum!
Posted by: Chuck Manley | January 30, 2011 at 03:38 PM
Just made this -- fantastic!
My own citrus season inspired drink: http://embitter.net/2011/01/winter-red/
Posted by: Matt | February 01, 2011 at 07:30 PM
You're post is right on par with mine. I just did a taste test of the best bitters for a Manhattan and Old Fashioned. It required a lot of of rinsing and spring water :) The orange notes of Peychaud’s were ultimately my favorite of the group. I think I'll have to make my own bitters next. Free Brothers makes a nice "specifically orange" bitters. Great Blog!
Cheers,
Swift
http://www.awhiskeydrink.com
Posted by: Swift | February 18, 2011 at 10:10 AM
Always forget about this one and love coming back to it.
Posted by: Tim | February 23, 2011 at 02:00 AM
Damn, that IS chreap citrus. In the netherlands you pay a LOT more during winter time :\
Posted by: Cocktailgear | March 09, 2011 at 03:26 AM