What are the best drinks to try in the Bronx?
The Bronx Cocktail is a classic pre-Prohibition era drink, created in the early 1900s by a bartender named Johnny Solon at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City.
The Bronx Cocktail is a variation of the Martini, with the addition of fresh orange juice, which gives it a citrusy twist and a fruitier flavor profile.
The traditional recipe for a Bronx Cocktail calls for a ratio of 2 parts gin, 1 part sweet vermouth, 1 part dry vermouth, and 1 part freshly squeezed orange juice.
Using high-quality, fresh-squeezed orange juice is crucial for the Bronx Cocktail, as it helps to balance the botanicals of the gin and the herbal notes of the vermouths.
The Bronx Cocktail was once ranked the 3rd most famous cocktail in the world in 1934, behind only the Martini and the Manhattan.
In addition to the classic Bronx Cocktail, the Bronx Fizz is another popular drink variation that combines gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and carbonated water for a refreshing, effervescent sip.
The Bronx Cocktail's name is said to be inspired by the Bronx Zoo, as the bartender who created it thought the drink had a "wild kick" to it.
Contrary to popular belief, the Bronx Cocktail is not named after the borough of the Bronx in New York City, but rather the other way around – the borough was named after the Bronx River, which was named after Jonas Bronck, an early 17th-century Swedish settler in the area.
The Bronx Cocktail experienced a resurgence in popularity during the craft cocktail movement of the 2000s, as bartenders and enthusiasts rediscovered this classic, balanced gin-based drink.
When making a Bronx Cocktail, the choice of gin can significantly impact the final flavor, with more citrus-forward gins like Tanqueray No.
10 or Hendrick's complementing the orange juice particularly well.
The Bronx Cocktail is often considered a "gateway" drink for those who may be intimidated by the intensity of a straight Martini, as the orange juice helps to soften the herbal and botanical notes.
While the Bronx Cocktail is primarily associated with New York City, it has found popularity in cocktail bars and homes around the world, showcasing the enduring appeal of this classic gin-based drink.