Ladies’ Companion
Had the cocktail been left to the muddling males it would probably have achieved its alpha and omega with the Dry Martini, the Old Fashioned, the Manhattan, and the Daiquiri. The ladies, however, can always be counted on to proliferate and as a result we have a subject that challenges the resources of even so scientific and inquiry as is now being pursued.
Crosby Gaige’s Cocktail Guide and Ladies’ Companion, 1941
I first discovered Gaige’s book when reading LeNelll Smothers’ now defunct blog on Slashfood. Recently I came across a copy on eBay and I jumped all over it. On my first read I discovered this post’s leadoff quote. It’s an absolutely awesome passage that has been percolating in my mind for a few weeks.
My 70 year flash forward of the quote would exchange those cocktail standards with Coors Light or worse yet, Coke Zero. I’ve managed to surround myself by guys that steer clear of gin or bourbon in favor of diet beverages. I’ve found my drinking solace lately with the ladies. It seems that lately my most engaging drinking partners have all been women. There is nary an ounce of complaint here, but an observation for sure. I’d like to think it is an innate nurturing instinct that even extends to fostering my drinking habits. Maybe it’s that my company is kept better by the girls. However, far likelier is that the ladies just have better taste than the guys.
I’d give props here but I’d be left in the situation where I’d surely miss someone, so rather than risking that wrath, I’m assuming that my regular readers will recall all the ladies mentioned in this blog. Hopefully some of them are even reading my musings.
With that, I will offer the Widow’s Kiss.
It seems this drink always had the favor of knowledgeable bartenders and connoisseurs, as its unique blend of flavors could be very challenging to the untrained palate of the casual drinker. In other words, this drink is best recommended for people who have moved beyond simple straightforward flavors and are looking for a carnival in the mouth. The Widow’s Kiss is a seasonal experience best enjoyed when it is cold outside.
Jason Kosmas & Dushan Zaric’s Speakeasy, 2010
I can’t think of a better drink to toast the ladies.
Widow's Kiss
- 1.5 oz Laird’s Apple Brandy
- 0.75 oz Benedictine
- 0.75 oz Yellow Chartreuse
- dash of Angostura bitters
- shake and strain into a cocktail glass
- garnish with a strawberry
I’ve seen recipes that call for a lemon twist but I implore you to use the strawberry. It really makes this drink pop.
Nice post, Tom. Can’t wait for you to make me one of those Widow’s Kisses, or better yet, coach me through mixing it myself. That’s always good for some laughs.
As I had the honnour to be your ladie companion for cocktails last night, it seems appropriate that i would leave a comment on this specific post. You’ll have to excuse my english writting (I’m doing the best I can…).
After you ruthlessely abandonned me last night, I was at the bartender’s mercy and so I had a Fitzgerald to drown my sudden loneliness… It was a wonderful discovery! But I think I have to agree with your mum on the stiff gin martini beeing the most perfect drink in the world (I don’t know if I told you last night but my dad actually makes my mum a martini almost every night).
And now I have the pleasure of discovering that I like your blog very much, so at the end, it was an expensive but rich evening. I like the way you have to take cocktails and bar’s descriptions as an excuse to write about other things (I do that too…). And I also like the way your posts start or end with a drink. That ‘s the way life should be. Elegant , subtle writting too…
Anyway you now have a new reader, a french one (to bring a little “exotic” touch to your blog…). As you can see, I write as much as I talk and move (and that is : too much…). I just wanted so say that it was really cool to meet you. I hope you’ll make a post of our encounter (I’m kind of surprised that you didn’t already)!
Let me know if you want to have another drink before I go back to this boring country of mine, that has great wine but where no one can make any kind of cocktail properly (that’s how you end up drinking straight gin or straight wiskey by the way…). If you don’t have time, I’ll be glad to have your advice on the best cocktail bars of the city (I’m getting addicted to Pegu, I have to change a little…) and the best beaches to go to when the weather is really cold (my trip to jersey has been cancelled, that sucks!)
Thanks for your nice compagny. Keep drinking and writting, that’s a great mix… Voilà.
Eva (crazy french girl)