Dry January? are you kiddin'..

by Tom Smith

The end is nigh. As Dry January crawls to a close those of you who were foolhardy, conscious-stricken or simply deluded enough to embark upon a temporary period of abstinence will soon be free to pick up where you left off. To initiate a Fabulous February why not try this unusual vintage cocktail – a colourful variation on the classic Old Fashioned.

RAINBOW OLD FASHIONED
5 teaspoons of sugar syrup
2 dashes of Angostura Bitters
1 teaspoon of Maraschino cherry juice
3 measures of Bourbon, Rye or Tennessee Whiskey
1 Maraschino cherry
½ a slice of orange
1 twist of lemon peel
½ a fresh strawberry

 Take an Old Fashioned Glass (the squat, heavy-bottomed tumbler that was Sinatra’s drinking vessel of choice) and add two ice cubes. Pour over the syrup, add bitters, cherry juice and whiskey. After finally adding the fruit stir twice gently and serve.

Darkness is lifting; a rainbow appears.

Early January - hangover time

He doesn’t get hangovers – he gives them was the opinion of one associate, and Sinatra himself was proud of his capacity and resilience. Sammy Davis was ready to swear that he only ever saw Frank really drunk once; but of course there were times that, even by his own generous standards, he overindulged and suffered horribly as a result. I feel sorry for people who don’t drink, he would quip onstage, When they wake up in the morning that’s the best they’re gonna feel all day.
On the mornings (or more realistically, afternoons) when he awoke feeling unwell the flag with the Jack Daniels insignia would be replaced with one featuring Alka Seltzer and he was likely to call for a Ramos. The Ramos Gin Fizz was a favourite hangover cure, introduced to Sinatra by Robert Mitchum. Mitchum had called it Mother’s Milk and Sinatra was so grateful for the introduction that for years he sent Mitchum thank-you cards on Mothers Day.
The Bloody Mary also played its part in recoveries. In September 1961 Sinatra was invited to the Oval Office to be personally thanked by Kennedy for his work on the presidential campaign. Dave Powers, a presidential aide, recalled Sinatra and Kennedy sipping Bloody Marys on the Truman Balcony. According to Powers Sinatra had instructed the White House maître d on how to prepare his own personal recipe for the famous curative. He also set a record while staying at The Sands by placing a single order for 300 Bloody Marys.

Dean Martin’s advice on avoiding hangovers was Stay drunk, faced with the inevitable however he resorted to malted milk.

Ramos Gin Fizz
2    measure of Gin
1       measure of lemon juice
¾    measure of fresh lime juice
3     drops of orange flower water
1     egg white
1       measure of full cream milk or light whipping cream
a   teaspoon of fine powdered sugar
3    measures of soda water

Mix all ingredients except soda water in a chilled metal shaker with half a glassful of crushed ice. Shake vigorously for at least five minutes. Pour, unstrained, into a frosted Highball Glass. Add sparkling soda water and garnish with mint sprig and/or lime wedge. Present with straw. 

The Ramos Gin Fizz was invented in 1888 at Henrico Ramos’ Imperial Cabinet Saloon, New Orleans. The precise formula was a closely guarded secret for over thirty years. The Imperial Cabinet Saloon was closed in 1920, a victim of Prohibition, Henrico’s brother, Charles Henry, was so enraged that the so-called Noble Experiment was depriving loyal customers of their beverage that he posted a copy of the recipe on the shuttered and padlocked doors. He further distributed copies throughout the city – this was, perhaps, one of the few good things to come out of Prohibition.A tray of Fizzes was often delivered to the steam rooms of The Sands the morning after the night before.