Raise a glass to journalists and writers with the Journalist Cocktail, a combination of dry gin and two styles of vermouth.
The Journalist Cocktail dates back to the 1930s, when it first appeared in Harry Craddock’s Savoy Cocktail Book. Also known as Periodista in Spanish, the combination of dry gin with equal parts of sweet and dry vermouth is somewhat reminiscent of a “perfect martini” which gets a citrus element from dry Curaçao and freshly squeezed lemon juice. It pays to use good quality vermouths that’s been freshly opened as the flavour is very much vermouth forward while the gin takes a back seat.
Although the origins of the Journalist Cocktail remain unknown, one could imagine a few journalists ordering one or a few of those back in their time.
This weekend is Fathers Day in Australia and this cocktail is a tribute to my late father, journalist and writer, whose typewriter and gold fountain pen appear in the photo above.
The Journalist Cocktail Recipe
Adapted from Harry Craddock’s Savoy Cocktail Book
Ingredients
- 60 ml dry gin
- 15 ml sweet vermouth
- 15 ml dry vermouth
- 2 dashes fresh lemon juice
- 2 dashes dry Curaçao (or triple sec)
- 1 dash of Angostura bitters
Glassware: coupette or cocktail glass
Garnish: lemon twist
Method
Add all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and stir until chilled. Strain into a chilled coupette or cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon twist.
Photo by Cocktails & Bars – © Copyright: All rights reserved.
