Despite sounding amazing, the Claridge Cocktail almost didn’t happen last night. Thankfully Ryan helped me out by mixing this lovely cocktail and taking the photos. Unfortunately, I was still feeling under the weather and couldn’t bring myself to write about the drink. Better late than never I guess.
I cheated a little in researching this recipe and read Erik Ellestad’s take on the Claridge Cocktail back from 2008. Erik felt that this one was named after the Claridge Hotel in London as the Savoy book author, Harry Craddock, may have had a working relationship with the bar in the Claridge Hotel.
Back in the states, Atlantic City, New Jersey was home to another famous Claridge Hotel during the time Harry published the Claridge Cocktail. During its heyday, the “Skyscraper by the Sea” was home to Marilyn Monroe, Al Capone, Princess Grace of Monaco, Frank Sinatra and Nucky Johnson (the inspiration for HBO’s Boardwalk Empire character Nucky Thompson).
According to MonopolyCity.com, The Claridge Hotel opened in 1930, during the great depression. General Electric provided the Fountain of Light that was in the center of Brighton Park to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the invention of the light bulb by Thomas Edison. The Marlbourough hotel was at the left, and the Brighton hotel to the right.
In his experiment with the Claridge Cocktail, Erik tried the recipe using Boodles Gin, Noilly Prat Dry Vermouth, Rothman and Winter Orchard Apricot and Cointreau. He didn’t seem blown away by the result, so Ryan and I opted to try the following:
- 1/2 ounce Hayman’s Old Tom Gin
- 1/2 ounce Dolin’s Dry Vermouth
- 1/4 ounce Takovo Kajsija Apricot Brandy
- 1/4 ounce Cointreau
I thought the combination of ingredients in the Claridge Cocktail was fantastic. Since Ryan mixed himself one, I think he agreed 🙂
The Vermouth might have been a little heavy but all and all, this was a winning cocktail. My only word of caution is that the Claridge should be enjoyed ice cold. As it warms the alcohol content becomes very clear and had a slight burn going down. This could be the result of my cold however, so further trials will need to commence after I’ve healed to know for sure.