Derby Cocktail (Bourbon Version) - How to Make the Vintage Whiskey Drink
This is the Bourbon version of the The Derby from the Trader Vic's Bartender's Guide from 1947 that uses Whiskey, Sweet Vermouth, Curaçao, Lime Juice and Mint for garnish. It's a riff on the classic Whiskey Sour.
There were three separate drinks in the Trader Vic's manual with the name "Derby Cocktail", a gin version, brandy version and this version. The IBA recognizes the gin version in their database. But I think this one makes the most sense to be called the Derby, not only because of Bourbon's ties with the famous Kentucky Derby, but also because in the 1924 Cuban bar guide, Manual del Cantinero by León Pujol & Oscar Muñiz, it lists a very similar drink called the Derby Fizz. It's a fizz and not a sour like this one, but they seem to be kissing cousins of one and other, like a Gin Sour and a Silver Fizz ( • Silver Fizz - the Classic Gin Cocktai... ).
The original Trader Vic's recipe has been modified (see both recipes below). I found the original too tart. Perhaps that's because our limes today are bigger than they were in the post-war era. In Trader Vic's recipe it calls for the juice of half a lime, which is a frustrating shorthand, because it's an approximation. If you squeeze a mutant-sized Persian Lime and a medium sized Persian Lime and a Key Lime, you'll get different measures of juice. It's usually accepted that the juice of half a lime is about 0.75 oz of lime juice. But that measurement in this cocktail is too overpowering. It drowns the Bourbon and clashes with the sweeter elements that are trying to break through.
So, my solution was to lower the lime juice measurement to 0.5 oz and raise the Sweet Vermouth to 0.75 oz. By inverting the measurements, the balance shifts to a much better place. The sweet and the sour quit fighting like a couple of 8-year-old in the backseat which assures you that all is right in the world. But if you have a sour tooth and want to use the Trader Vic's proportions, go for it.
The recipe specifically calls for Curaçao, but if you have some other Orange Liqueur, feel free to sub that in. The Dutch version is the intended variety, but it's not going to kill the drink to use a quality Triple Sec instead.
I used Carpano Antica because I happened to have a fresh bottle on hand, but any decent Sweet Vermouth will do. I think the Antica is particularly well suited to stand up to the lime juice, so if you're using a more timid vermouth, you may need to up the dosage a little or modify the proportions to make it work.
I like using a Bourbon with a higher rye mashbill. Wild Turkey is my go to for this one, but Old Granddad actually has a higher rye content. Bulleit is even higher, so that one should work just as well. Another lower-rye mashbill bourbon or a wheated bourbon will be fine, I just think that the spicier profile of the high-rye Bourbon works better in this drink. The bourbon has a lot to stand up to and you want to make sure its voice can be heard. Cheers!
Recipe:
1.5 oz Bourbon
0.75 oz Sweet Vermouth
0.5 oz Orange Curaçao
0.5 oz Lime Juice
garnish Mint
Shake with ice. Double strain into chilled coupe glass. Garnish with mint sprig.
Trader Vic's Recipe:
1.5 oz Bourbon
0.5 oz Sweet Vermouth
0.5 oz Orange Curaçao
0.75 oz Lime Juice
garnish Mint
Shake with ice. Double strain into chilled coupe glass. Garnish with mint sprig.
Music:
Bad Blood (Instrumental) by American Bulldog
via Jinglepunks
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Featured in This Episode:
Wild Turkey
http://wildturkeybourbon.com/
Carpano Antica Formula
http://www.carpano.com/en/products/an...
Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao
http://pierreferrandcuracao.com/en/
Other Bourbon:
Old Grand-Dad Bonded Bourbon
http://www.beamsuntory.com/brands/old...
Bulleit Bourbon
https://www.bulleit.com/whiskey/bulle...
Bar Tools:
Coupe Glass (1 oz larger)
http://amzn.to/1ADQJD8
OXO Measuring Cup
http://amzn.to/1Xfvlgq
Hawthorne Strainer
http://amzn.to/1FfK2mB
Fine Mesh Strainer
http://amzn.to/1KDExWv
Citrus Juicer (Lime)
http://amzn.to/1NyQkZ5
OXO SteeL Cocktail Shaker
http://amzn.to/1pJgEF0
BlenderBottle, 28 oz
http://amzn.to/1UvgKNy
