This time out, a search for Sloe Gin drinks takes a sideways turn from Trader Vic's to Patrick Gavin Duffy's "The Standard Bartenders Guide".  The Trader refers to a drink that (as of 1972) is going out of style called the Blackthorn Cocktail.  Intrigued, the Gentlemen discover two versions of the same drink.  One with Sloe Gin and Sweet Vermouth, the other with Irish Whiskey and Dry Vermouth.  Naturally, they have to try them both!  Both of these recipes come from the 1960 edition of "The Standard Bartenders Guide".

Blackthorn Cocktail #1

3/4 ounce Sloe Gin
3/4 ounce Sweet Vermouth
2 dashes Orange Bitters

Stir well with ice and strain in to a cocktail glass.  Twist lemon peel and serve with a cherry.

Between the drinks Dave shares an Irish anecdote. And then . . .

Blackthorn Cocktail #2

1 ounce Irish Whiskey
1 ounce Dry Vermouth
3 dashes Absinthe (or Pernod)
3 dashes Angostura Bitters

Stir well with ice and strain in to a cocktail glass.

One of these drinks is a helluva lot better than the other one.  Yikes!  The Irish Whiskey does NOT play well with the Dry Vermouth.  The Whiskey Blackthorn tried a little later with Sweet Vermouth, comes off a whole lot better.  You never know until you try though!  Here's our on the spot adaptation.  Cheers!

Blackthorn Cocktail #3

1 ounce Irish Whiskey
1 ounce Sweet Vermouth
3 dashes Absinthe (or Pernod)
3 dashes Angostura Bitters

Stir well with ice and strain in to a cocktail glass.

In our first episode, The Gentlemen of Elegant Leisure introduce themselves and then dive directly in to a Gin Sling circa 1800.

1 tsp of powdered white sugar
1/2 oz of water
2 oz of Hollands Gin (We used Boomsma)
3 ice cubes
Grated nutmeg

Stir with a spoon.

This recipe is adapted from David Wondrich's fantastic book, Imbibe! (Page 186 in the 2nd edition)
We used San Pellegrino water (because that's what we had) and followed his advice to use only 1/2 an ounce of water due to the lower alcohol content of todays booze.  We muddled the powdered sugar with the water before adding the other ingredients.  As Mr. Wondrich points out, if you don't have the fresh nutmeg, don't bother.  The nutmeg adds the big ?!?!? to the drink!

Following that, we journey to Singapore in the early 1900's to sample the Singapore Sling as served by the Singapore Cricket Club.  Again we follow David Wondrich's recipe from Imbibe!

3/4 ounce fresh squeezed lime juice
1 1/2 ounces Gin
1 ounce Cherry Brandy
1/2 ounce Benedictine
A few dashes of Angostura Bitters
Club soda (We used the San Pellegrino)
Ice

Add all the ingredients to a Collins glass and stir briefly.  Mmmmm.  Cricket anyone?

See you next time!