Episode 5 - The Odd Couple

In this episode, The Gentlemen of Elegant Leisure are finally joined by their third co-host, Fred Partridge.  Fred has been busy working on a local production of "The Odd Couple" and it seemed only fitting to try a couple of cocktail that had an odd couple of ingredients. 
Our first choice was The Twentieth Century Cocktail from Ted Haigh's fantastic book, "Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails."  This sporty number features the flavours of both chocolate and lemon dancing the Taste Bud Tango on your tongue!  An odd couple indeed, but just like Felix and Oscar, they somehow manage to get along.  In the first sentence of his description though, Mr. Haigh says that at first glance, this drink looks like a mere variation on the Corpse Reviver #2.  A perfect chance for a comparison we thought and so to start out, let's have a look at the Corpse Reviver #2.  This is one of those drinks designed to be drunk first thing in the morning (ideally to clear out the cobwebs from the night before).  I could see that.

The Corpse Reviver #2

1 ounce Gin
1 ounce Cointreau
1 ounce Lillet Blanc
1 ounce fresh lemon juice
1-3 drops (not dashes) Absinthe or Pastis (Pernod, Herbsaint, and Ricard all will work.)

Shake in an iced cocktail shaker and strain into a cocktail glass.  Drop a stemless cherry into the bottom of the glass.

Mmmmmm.  Nice, right?  Good morning sunshine!  These little beauties have been around for a long time and there are numerous recipes for them.  Try 'em all!

Now on to The Twentieth Century Cocktail.  It was created in 1937 and appeared in the "Cafe Royal Bar Book".  Dave and Fred credit it to C.A. Tuck.  The Twentieth Century was a train that went from New York City to Chicago in 16 hours!  The train itself spawned a play, a movie and a musical along with a cocktail.  How many trains have done that?  Have a taste of this "thinking person's" drink and imagine yourself in Art Deco splendour!

The Twentieth Century Cocktail

1 1/2 ounces Gin
3/4 ounce Lillet Blanc
1/2 ounce light Crème de Cacao (or a scant splash, to taste.  Fred wanted more!)
3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice.

Shake in an iced cocktail shaker, and strain into a cocktail glass.  Garnish with a lemon twist.

What do you think of that?  Pretty good right?  Maybe it should be a morning drink too.  It's like Cocoa Pebbles with lemon juice and gin!  The gin cancels that sugar high and the lemon juice gives you a good shot of Vitamin C.

We Gentlemen of Elegant Leisure love these obscure drinks.  If you've found one you'd like to try but don't have the ingredients, drop us a comment with the recipe in it.  Maybe we can try it for you and let you know whether you should drop the cash on the ingredients yourself!  Until next time, be a Gentleman of Elegant Leisure and always . .  Tip Big!