Although opinions vary, the cocktail is thought to have originated in the early-to-mid 1800s in New Orleans, in what we know today at the Sazerac made from a concoction of absinthe, whisky, bitters, and sugar—kind of like an Old Fashioned with a twist of wormwood.
Now I don’t know if that’s true, but I do know that the infamous cocktail has a long and colorful history indeed. I was recently re-reading Pride and Prejudice while sipping on an Aperol Spritz, and I got to thinking, “What would Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy drink if they were having a cocktail back in the day?” I think that she would enjoy something light and fruity and perhaps bubbly while Mr. Darcy would probably drink Scotch.
Here, for your Pride cocktail gatherings, are a few of my favorite glasses of goodness. Salute!
Let Them Drink Cake
One ounce kinky pink
One ounce of Smirnoff Birthday Cake vodka
One ounce cranberry juice
Shake in a cocktail shaker over ice and serve in a chilled martini glass.
The Earnestly Hemingway
One ounce dry vermouth
One-and-a-half ounces ginger ale
A splash of scotch
Serve on ice in a rocks glass and garnish with a twist of orange.
A Bouquet for Miss Bennet
One ounce of Hendricks Gin
One ounce of Wild Moon Lavender Liqueur
One-and-a-half ounces rose flavored simple syrup
Shake until cold in a cocktail shaker, and serve in a chilled martini glass with basil garnish.
A Proper Spot of Tea
Three cups of steeped and cooled chamomile tea
Two ounces of Dubliner Irish Honey Whisky
Serve over ice in highball glasses with a lemon wedge.
Havana Hook Up
One ounce Puerto Rican rum
One ounce Lijay Liqueur de Banane
One ounce of Ultra Paradise Monster drink
Mix and serve on ice in a highball glass with a cocktail umbrella.
Green With Envy
Two ounces Champagne
One-and-a-half ounces each of brandy and Midori
Shake until cold, and serve in a tall Champagne flute.
Note for non-drinkers and/or THC imbibers:
You can substitute sparking water, sparkling juice, or soda for Champagne; flavored simple syrup can be used in place of flavored liqueurs, and there are non-alcoholic wines and beers out there too!
Local cannabis company Ripple also makes dissolvable Quickstix that are water soluble and can be mixed right into any beverage for a very chill cocktail.
Enjoy responsibly, and happy Pride everyone!
