Discovering that the big Hollywood stars of the 30s and 40s all had cocktails named after them has opened up a wealth of possibilities for summer drinks in the sunshine. How exciting! (apologies if I sound like an alcoholic, but it’s been years since I had a cocktail and I’m excited at the prospect!) Which of these cocktails would you choose? The gutsy Mae West, or the fresh and fruity Carmen Miranda? Personally I think I’d rather drink a Brigitte Bardot…
1. The Ginger Rogers cocktail
Recipe
- 2 oz gin
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
- 1/2 oz ginger syrup
- 8 to 10 mint leaves
- Top with ginger ale
- Garnish with a lime wedge
Pick 8–10 mint leaves. Place in your hand and clap your hands together to wake up the mint. Place into cocktail shaker. Add 1/2 oz of ginger syrup and then give the mint a few taps with a muddler. Add the gin, lime juice, and ice to your shaker. Shake well. Double strain into a collins glass filled with ice. Top with approximately 1 oz of ginger ale. Garnish with a mint sprig and a lime wedge.
2. The Mae West cocktail
Ingredients:
- 3-4 oz brandy
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp powdered sugar
- Cayenne pepper for garnish
Pour the brandy, egg and sugar into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Shake vigorously (more so than normal to mix the egg yolk well with the other ingredients). Strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Top with a dusting of cayenne pepper. Source
3. The Jean Harlow cocktail
Ingredients:
- 2 oz light rum
- 2 oz sweet vermouth
- lemon peel for garnish
Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with the lemon peel. (source)
4. The Marilyn Monroe cocktail
Ingredients:
- 4 oz. (113 ml) champagne
- 1 oz. (28 ml) apple brandy
- 1 tsp. (5 ml) grenadine
Serve in a champagne flute with two cherries on a stick. Source
5. The Jane Russell cocktail
This voluptuous rye-based cocktail packs a wallop, just like Ms Russell herself presumably…
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Russell’s Reserve Rye
- .5 oz Rittenhouse Rye
- .25 oz Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth
- .25 oz Grand Marnier
- .25 oz Bénédictine
- 1 dash Bittermens Xocolatl Mole Bitters
- Garnish: Orange twist
Add all the ingredients to a mixing glass and fill with ice. Stir, and strain into a coupe or cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange twist. Source
6. The Brigitte Bardot cocktail
Ingredients:
- 3/4 oz. Brandy
- 1/4 oz. Bourbon Whiskey
- 1 Egg Yolk
- 3/4 oz. Cream
- 1/4 oz. Sugar Syrup
7. The Carmen Miranda cocktail
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Mt. Gay Rum
- 1 oz freshly juiced cantaloupe
- 1/2 oz house made orgeat
- 1 egg white
- 4 spearmint leaves
- 4 pineapple mint leaves
- 1 pineapple sprig garnish
Incorporate egg white first without ice. I use a handheld frother. Give your 8 mint leaves a good spank and shake with the rest of the ingredients with ice. Double strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with one pineapple mint sprig. Source
Image source and copyright: This work is in the public domain in that it was published in the United States between 1923 and 1977 and without a copyright notice.
I think it has to be the Ginger Rogers one for me. All that fiery ginger and tart tasting lime sounds lovely! Ginger and lime go together like Ginger and Fred 😉
Also, I have to say, Mae West looks absolutely STUNNING in that dress. WOW!
oh hell yes, Mae West certainly knew how to wear a dress! Don’t fancy her cocktail much though…