Classic Bronx Cocktail

The Bronx cocktail is one of the cocktail world’s classic offerings that is also very simple to make. You just need four ingredients and a cocktail shaker to whip up a delicious gin-based drink for any occasion.

The Bronx cocktail has been around since the 1920s, and at one time it ranked in popularity only behind the martini and the Manhattan. Today, with such a huge range of gins available to try, it is easy to mix a classic Bronx cocktail just the way you love it.

This cocktail combines the perfect blend of ingredients to make it refreshing and delicious. Once you try it, you will want to show it off to friends and guests at your next party.

Just a fun factoid: most people assume this cocktail was invented in one of the boroughs in New York, but this perfect martini was made first by Johnny Solon in Philadelphia, although he did name it after the Bronx zoo.

What kind of gin works best?

If you want to recreate the Bronx drink as it was originally mixed, stick with a dry or London-style gin because these types are made from the right gin botanicals, but they aren’t flavored the way so many of our modern gins are.

You could use flavored gins but know they will impact the taste of your finished cocktail. I always recommend trying the traditional recipe first so you have a baseline from which to decide what you like best.

Helpful tips

• The Bronx cocktail is usually served in a classic martini glass but I also enjoy serving it in a coupe glass (see photos below), which is better known for serving martinis and champagne.
• Place your glassware in the freezer at least 10 minutes before you make the recipe. There is nothing like a drink enjoyed in a chilled cocktail glass.
• Buy the best gin you can afford, but if you’re on a budget, Bombay Sapphire is a solid brand to use.
• I usually use a channeling knife to create my garnish twists. (See below how to do that.) But since I wanted a thicker twist than usual for this cocktail, I decided to cut it differently. Here’s how: cut an orange in half and slice away a couple of orange wheels. Cut out the flesh from each wheel and set aside to float later in the finished cocktail. Make a cut in each of the remaining rind wheels in order to break the circle so you can twist them into spirals.
• Do you want to offset the sweetness of the orange juice? Add 5 drops of orange bitters, but I prefer it without.

How do you make an orange rind twist with a channeling knife?

An orange rind twist is a little more complicated than a slice or wedge of the fruit, but it looks so stylish! To create one, you will want a channeling knife. Hold the whole fruit in your hand and dig in the channeling knife only deeply enough to separate a string of rind. Avoid cutting too far into the peel.

Rotate the fruit around in a smooth motion, keeping the channeling knife shallow enough to separate a strip of peel or rind. Stop when you have enough or when the twist naturally separates. You can then roll it into a spiral with a gentle squeeze or leave it as a loose circle the way I do in this recipe.

How long does vermouth last? (myth buster)

Okay, here is what some online sources are saying: vermouth has a shorter shelf life than other spirits. Some brands recommend using it within three months. They also suggest putting it in the refrigerator after opening.

Here’s what I say: I have NEVER had vermouth go bad and I have used the same bottle for up to a year, easily, before it empties. Also, I have never put vermouth in the refrigerator. I know my folks would have scoffed at the suggestion.

Ingredients and substitutions

• Gin – any dry or London gin will do. I use Bombay Sapphire, but Gordon’s is a solid budget friendly brand.
• Dry Vermouth – Dolin is a great choice of vermouth, but you can get Gallo as a budget option.
• Sweet Vermouth – also known as Vermouth Rosso from its dark red color. I use a premium brand called Carpano Anitica Formula but either Gallo or Martini & Rossi are good budget choices.
• Orange juice – with or without pulp. I love orange juice from Whole Foods and in a smaller container than a half gallon.
• Orange rind – cut in a wheel with the flesh separated for secondary garnish.

How to make the Bronx cocktail

Pre-step

Get a cocktail shaker and fill it halfway with ice. Also get a measuring glass, and two martini glasses.

Cut two twists of orange rind and set aside for the garnish. (See helpful tips on how.)

After measuring out the ingredients, add to the shaker.

Step one

Gather the ingredients – gin, dry vermouth, sweet vermouth, and orange juice.

Step two

Measure out 4 ounces of gin. (A)

Step three

Measure out 1 ounce of dry vermouth. (B)

Step four

Measure 1 ounce of sweet vermouth. (C)

Step five

Measure 2 ounces of orange juice. (D)

Step six

Cap the cocktail shaker and shake for 15 seconds. Strain and divide the drink between the two glasses.

Step seven

Add to each glass a twist of orange rind and the flesh of one orange wheel.

Let’s look at the overhead view.

Yum.

And now the vertical view.

I hope you enjoy this delicious classic Bronx cocktail!

Other gin recipes

• G & T
• Lime rickey
• Negroni

And as always, may all your dishes/drinks be delish!

If you’ve tried this recipe, I’d love the know what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!